1. Purpose
Client and RMS wish to explore possible business opportunities of mutual interest and carry-on specific project requirement of Client that requires specific professional services of RMS (the “Relationship”) in connection with which each party may disclose its Confidential Information (as defined below) to the other. This Agreement is intended to allow the parties to discuss and evaluate the Relationship while protecting each party’s Confidential Information (including Confidential Information previously disclosed to the other party) against unauthorized use or disclosure.
2. Definition of Confidential Information and Proprietary Information
“Confidential Information and Proprietary Information” means any oral, written, graphic or machine-readable information including, but not limited to, that which relates to business data, audit data, patents, patent applications, research, molecules, formulations, product plans, products, developments, inventions, processes, designs, drawings, engineering, formulae, markets, software (including source and object code), hardware configuration, computer programs, algorithms, mask works, business plans, organization charts, resumes, agreements with third parties, services, customers, marketing or finances of the disclosing party, which Confidential Information is designated in writing to be confidential or proprietary, or if given orally, is confirmed in writing as having been disclosed as confidential or proprietary within a reasonable time (not to exceed thirty (30) days) after the oral disclosure.
3. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information
(a) Client and RMS each agree not to use any Confidential Information disclosed to it by the other party for its own use or for any purpose other than to carry out discussions concerning, and the undertaking of, the Relationship. Neither party shall disclose or permit disclosure of any Confidential Information of the other party to third parties or to employees of the party receiving Confidential Information, other than directors, officers, employees, consultants, and agents who are required to have the information in order to carry out the discussions regarding the Relationship. Each party agrees that it shall take all reasonable measures to protect the secrecy of and avoid disclosure or use of Confidential Information of the other party in order to prevent it from falling into the public domain or the possession of persons other than those persons authorized under this Agreement to have any such information. Such measures shall include, but not be limited to, the highest degree of care that the receiving party utilizes to protect its own Confidential Information of a similar nature, which shall be no less than reasonable care. Each party agrees to notify the other in writing of any actual or suspected misuse, misappropriation, or unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information of the disclosing party which may come to the receiving party’s attention.
(b) Exceptions. Notwithstanding the above, neither party shall have liability to the other about any Confidential Information of the other, which the receiving party can prove:
(i) Was in the public domain at the time it was disclosed or has entered the public domain through no fault of the receiving party.
(ii) Was known to the receiving party, without restriction, at the time of disclosure, as demonstrated by files in existence at the time of disclosure.
(iii) Is disclosed with the prior written approval of the disclosing party.
(iv) Was independently developed by the receiving party without any use of the Confidential Information of the disclosing party and by employees of the receiving party who have not had access to the Confidential Information, as demonstrated by files created at the time of such independent development.
(v) Becomes known to the receiving party, without restriction, from a source other than the disclosing party without breach of this Agreement by the receiving party and otherwise not in violation of the disclosing party’s rights.
(vi) Is disclosed pursuant to the order or requirement of a court, administrative agency, or other governmental body; provided, however, that the receiving party shall provide prompt notice of such court order or requirement to the disclosing party to enable the disclosing party to seek a protective order or otherwise prevent or restrict such disclosure.
4. Return of Materials
Any materials or documents that have been furnished by one party to the other in connection with the Relationship shall be promptly returned by the receiving party, accompanied by all copies of such documentation, within ten (10) days after (a) the Relationship has been rejected or concluded or (b) the written request of the disclosing party.
5. No Rights Granted
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as granting any rights under any patent, copyright or other intellectual property right of either party, nor shall this Agreement grant either party any rights in or to the other party’s Confidential Information other than the limited right to review such Confidential Information solely to determine whether to enter into the Relationship.
6. Term
The foregoing commitments of each party shall survive any termination of the Relationship between the parties and shall continue for a period terminating on the later to occur of the date (a) one year following the date of this Agreement or one year from the date on which Confidential Information is last disclosed under this Agreement.
7. Successors and Assigns
The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties, provided that Confidential Information of the disclosing party may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the disclosing party. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or responsibilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
8. Severability
If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (a) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (b) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (c) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
9. Independent Contractors
Client and RMS are independent organizations, and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to constitute Client and RMS as partners, joint ventures, co-owners or otherwise as participants in a joint or common undertaking.
10. Remedies
Client and RMS each agree that its obligations set forth in this Agreement are necessary and reasonable in order to protect the disclosing party and its business. Client and RMS each expressly agree that due to the unique nature of the disclosing party’s Confidential Information, monetary damages would be inadequate to compensate the disclosing party for any breach by the receiving party of its covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement. Accordingly, Client and RMS each agree and acknowledge that any such violation or threatened violation shall cause irreparable injury to the disclosing party and that, in addition to any other remedies that may be available, in law, in equity or otherwise, the disclosing party shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the threatened breach of this Agreement or the continuation of any such breach by the receiving party, without the necessity of proving actual damages.
11. Amendment and Waiver
Any term of this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of Client and RMS. Any amendment or waiver affected in accordance with this Section shall be binding upon the parties and their respective successors and assigns. Failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement by a party shall not constitute a waiver of any term hereof by such party.
12. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
13. Entire Agreement
This Agreement is the product of both parties hereto and constitutes the entire agreement between such parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and merges all prior negotiations and drafts of the parties with regard to the transactions contemplated herein. All other written or oral agreements existing between the parties hereto regarding such transactions are expressly canceled. The parties have executed this Mutual Nondisclosure Agreement as of the date first above written.
Client and RMS agree that this Agreement will be considered signed when the signature of a party is delivered by facsimile/email transmission. Signatures transmitted by facsimile/email shall have the same effect as original signatures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the day and year written above.