Confidential Information and Trade Secrets During the period of my employment with the Company, I acknowledge that the Company may disclose to me confidential and proprietary information of the Company which the Company takes great pains to safeguard from unauthorized use and disclosure. I agree at all times during the term of my employment and thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use or to disclose to any person, firm or corporation, except as such use or disclosure is required in connection with my work for the Company or unless the Chief Executive Officer of the Company otherwise expressly authorizes in writing, any Confidential Information (defined below) before it has become generally known within the relevant industry through no fault of my own. I understand and agree that “Confidential Information” means any non-public information that does not otherwise qualify as Trade Secrets (defined below) that relates to the actual or demonstrably anticipated business or research or development of the Company or any other information which is marked “confidential” or which might reasonably be anticipated to be confidential in nature. I further agree, at all times during my employment and anytime thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use or disclose to any person, firm or corporation, except as such use or disclosure is required in connection with my work for the Company or unless the Chief Executive Officer of the Company expressly authorizes such use or disclosure in writing, any Trade Secret (defined below) before it has become generally known in the public domain through no fault of my own. I understand and agree that “Trade Secrets” are information, regardless of form, belonging to the Company, licensed by it, or disclosed to it on a confidential basis by its customers, suppliers, or other third parties, including, but not limited to technical and non-technical data, formulae, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans, and lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers which is not commonly known in the public domain and which (i) derives economic value, economic or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy, or any other information that constitutes a trade secret under common law.
Confidentiality and Trade Secrets (a) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that his position as an employee of the Company will afford him a unique opportunity to acquire confidential information concerning the Company and that the misappropriation or disclosure of such confidential information would cause irreparable harm to the Company. The Executive recognizes and agrees that he will have access to certain confidential information of the Company that is not generally available to the public and that such information constitutes valuable, special and unique property of the Company. The Executive acknowledges that such confidential information includes information concerning the Business and the Company including, without limitation, financial information concerning the Business or the Company, the names and addresses of actual and potential customers or acquisition or investment targets of the Business or the Company, studies of prospective market areas for the Business, supply sources, products, technical data, notes, diagrams, drawings, flow charts, ideas, techniques, specifications, procedures, processes, research, development, and trade secrets of the Business and the Company (such information whether related to the Business or the Company being referred to collectively as the “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall not include any information or documents (i) that are or become publicly available or otherwise known in the industry without breach of this Section 4.02; or (ii) that the Executive rightfully receives from any third party which is not breaching an obligation of confidence with the Company or without an accompanying obligation of confidence; or (iii) that were known to or by the Executive prior to his appointment with the Company without breach of this Section 4.02. In the event that the Executive is requested in any court or governmental proceeding to disclose any Confidential Information, the Executive shall give the Company prompt notice of such request such that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate relief and shall cooperate in all respects with the Company in its efforts in connection therewith.
(b) The Executive will keep confidential and will not, during his employment and for a period of five (5) years after any termination under this Agreement (whether by expiration or pursuant to Section 5.01 or otherwise), directly or indirectly, divulge to anyone, use or otherwise appropriate any of the Confidential Information for any reason or purpose whatsoever except to authorize representatives of the Company or when, in the good faith belief of the Executive, such disclosure is necessary or desirable in the normal course of the Business in order for the Executive to fulfill his duties and responsibilities to the Company as set out in Section 2.02.
(c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that these prohibitions against disclosure of Confidential Information are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any rights or remedies which the Company may have available pursuant to the laws of any jurisdiction or at common law to prevent the disclosure of trade secrets or proprietary information, and the enforcement by the Company of any of their rights and remedies pursuant to this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any other rights or available remedies which they may possess in law or equity absent this Agreement.
(d) Upon any termination of his employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall surrender to the Company all documents and materials in his possession, custody or control embodying the Confidential Information or any part thereof.
Restricted Use of Confidential Information (a) Each Receiving Party acknowledges the confidential and proprietary nature of the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party and agrees that such Confidential Information (i) shall be kept confidential by the Receiving Party; (ii) shall not be used for any reason or purpose other than to evaluate and consummate the Contemplated Transactions; and (iii) without limiting the foregoing, shall not be disclosed by the Receiving Party to any Person, except in each case as otherwise expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement or with the prior written consent of an authorized representative of Seller with respect to Confidential Information of Seller(each, a "Seller Contact") or an authorized representative of Buyer with respect to Confidential Information of Buyer (each, a "Buyer Contact"). Each of Buyer and Seller shall disclose the Confidential Information of the other party only to its Representatives who require such material for the purpose of evaluating the transactions contemplated herein and are informed by Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, of the obligations of this Article 12 with respect to such information. Each of Buyer and Seller shall (iv) enforce the terms of this Article 12 as to its respective representatives; (v) take such action to the extent necessary to cause its representatives to comply with the terms and conditions of this Article 12; and (vi) be responsible and liable for any breach of the provisions of this Article 12 by it or its representatives.
(b) Unless and until this Agreement is terminated, Seller shall maintain as confidential any Confidential Information (including for this purpose any information of Seller of the type referred to in Sections 12.l(a)(i), (ii) and (iii), whether or not disclosed to Buyer) of the Seller or Shareholders relating to any of the Assets or the Assumed Liabilities.
(c) From and after the Closing, the provisions of Section 12.2(a) above shall not apply to or restrict in any manner Buyer's use of any Confidential Information of the Seller relating to any of the Assets or the Assumed Liabilities.
Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential Information Executive agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use any Confidential Information on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any Person other than Employer, or reveal, divulge, or disclose any Confidential Information to any Person not expressly authorized by Employer to receive such Confidential Information. This obligation shall remain in effect for as long as the information or materials in question retain their status as Confidential Information. Executive further agrees to fully cooperate with Employer in maintaining the Confidential Information to the extent permitted by law. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, alter either Employer’s rights or Executive’s obligations under any state or federal statutory or common law regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive shall not be restricted from disclosing information that is required to be disclosed by law, court order, or other valid and appropriate legal process; provided, however, that in the event such disclosure is required by law, Executive shall provide Employer with prompt notice of such requirement so that Employer may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such required disclosure by Executive. Executive understands and acknowledges that nothing in this section limits Executive’s ability to report possible violations of federal, state, or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity; to communicate with any government agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any government agencies in connection with any charge or complaint, whether filed by Executive, on Executive’s behalf, or by any other individual; or to make other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, state, or local law or regulation, and Executive shall not need the prior authorization of Employer to make any such reports or disclosures and shall not be required to notify Employer that Executive has made such reports or disclosures. In addition, and anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive is hereby given notice that Executive shall not be criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for disclosing a trade secret (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1839) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, in either event solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or disclosing a trade secret (as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1839) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.
Trade Secrets and Confidential Information (i) Executive represents and warrants that Executive (A) is not subject to any legal or contractual duty or agreement that would prevent or prohibit Executive from performing the duties contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise complying with this Agreement, and (B) is not in breach of any legal or contractual duty or agreement, including any agreement concerning trade secrets or confidential information owned by any other party.
(ii) Executive agrees that Executive will not (A) use, disclose or reverse engineer Trade Secrets or Confidential Information for any purpose other than the Company’s Business, except as authorized in writing by the Company; (B) during Executive’s employment with the Company, use, disclose or reverse engineer (1) any confidential information or trade secrets of any former employer or third party or (2) any works of authorship developed in whole or in part by Executive during any former employment or for any other party, unless authorized in writing by the former employer or third party; or (C) upon Executive’s resignation or termination with the Company (1) retain Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, including any copies existing in any form (including electronic form), which are in Executive’s possession or control or (2) destroy, delete or alter Trade Secrets or Confidential Information without the Company’s prior written consent.
(iii) The obligations under this Section 8 shall remain in effect as long as Trade Secrets and Confidential Information constitute trade secrets or confidential information under applicable law. The confidentiality, property and proprietary rights protections available in this Agreement are in addition to, and not exclusive of, any and all other rights to which the Company is entitled under federal and state law, including, but not limited to, rights provided under copyright laws, trade secret and confidential information laws and laws concerning fiduciary duties.
Confidential Information and Intellectual Property (a) Other than in the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, the Executive agrees not to use in any manner or disclose, distribute, publish, communicate or in any way cause to be used, disclosed, distributed, published, or communicated in any way or at any time, either while in the Company's employ or at any time thereafter, to any person not employed by the Company, or not engaged to render services to the Company, any Confidential Information (as defined below) obtained while in the employ of the Company.
(b) Confidential Information includes any written or unwritten information which relates to and/or is used by the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates or divisions, including, without limitation (i) the names, addresses, buying habits and other special information regarding past, present and potential customers, employees and suppliers of the Company, (ii) customer and supplier contracts and transactions or price lists of the Company and suppliers, (iii) methods of distribution, (iv) all agreements, files, books, logs, charts, records, studies, reports, processes, schedules and statistical information, (v) data, figures, projections, estimates, pricing data, customer lists, buying manuals or procedures, distribution manuals or procedures, other policy and procedure manuals or handbooks, (vi) supplier information, tax records, personnel histories and records, sales information, and property information, (vii) information regarding the present or future phases of business, (viii) ideas, inventions, trademarks, business information, know-how, processes, techniques, improvements, designs, redesigns, creations, discoveries, trade secrets, and developments, (ix) all computer software licensed or developed by the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates or divisions, computer programs, computer-based and web-based training programs, and systems, and (x) finances and financial information, but Confidential Information will not include information of the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates or divisions that (1) became or becomes a matter of public knowledge through sources independent of the Executive, (2) has been or is disclosed by the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates or divisions without restriction on its use, or (3) has been or is required or specifically permitted to be disclosed by law or governmental order or regulation. The Executive also agrees that, if there is any reasonable doubt whether an item is public knowledge, to not regard the item as public knowledge until and unless the Company’s Chief Executive Officer confirms to the Executive that the information is public knowledge.
(c) The provisions of this Section 5 shall not preclude the Executive from disclosing such information to the Executive's professional tax advisor or legal counsel solely to the extent necessary to the rendering of their professional services to the Executive if such individuals agree to keep such information confidential.
(d) The Executive agrees that upon leaving the Company’s employ the Executive will remain reasonably available to answer questions from Company officers regarding the Executive’s former duties and responsibilities and the knowledge the Executive obtained in connection therewith.
(e) The Executive agrees that upon leaving the Company's employ the Executive will not communicate with, or give statements to, any member of the media (including print, television, or radio media) relating to any matter (including pending or threatening lawsuits or administrative investigations) about which the Executive has knowledge or information (other than knowledge or information that is not Confidential Information) as a result of employment with the Company. The Executive further agrees to notify the Chief Executive Officer or his or her designee immediately after being contacted by any member of the media with respect to any matter affected by this section.
(f) The Executive agrees that all information, inventions, and discoveries, whether or not patented or patentable, made or conceived by the Executive, either alone or with others, at any time while employed by the Company, which arises out of such employment or is pertinent to any field of business or research in which, during such employment, the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates or divisions is engaged or (if such is known to or ascertainable by the Executive) is considering engaging (“Intellectual Property”) shall (i) be and remain the sole property of the Company and the Executive shall not seek a patent with respect to such Intellectual Property without the prior consent of an authorized representative of the Company and (ii) be disclosed promptly to an authorized representative of the Company along with all information the Executive possesses with regard to possible applications and uses. Further, at the request of the Company, and without expense or additional compensation to the Executive, the Executive agrees to execute such documents and perform such other acts as the Company deems necessary to obtain patents on such Intellectual Property in a jurisdiction or jurisdictions designated by the Company, and to assign to the Company or its designee such Intellectual Property and all patent applications and patents relating thereto.
(g) The Executive and the Company agree that the Executive intends all original works of authorship within the purview of the copyright laws of the United States authored or created by the Executive in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company will be works for hire within the meaning of such copyright law.
(h) Upon termination of the Executive’s employment, or at any time upon request of the Company, the Executive will return to the Company all Confidential Information and Intellectual Property, in any form, including but not limited to letters, memoranda, reports, notes, notebooks, books of account, drawings, prints, specifications, formulae, data printouts, microfilms, magnetic tapes, disks, recordings, documents, and all copies thereof.
Treatment of Proprietary and Confidential Information A. Both parties agree that it may be necessary to provide each other during the term of this Agreement with certain confidential information, including trade secret information, including but not limited to, technical and business plans, technical information, proposals, specifications, drawings, procedures, customer account data and like information (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Information”). Both parties agree that all Information shall either be in writing or other tangible format and clearly marked with a confidential, private or proprietary legend, or, when the Information is communicated orally, it shall also be communicated that the Information is confidential, private or proprietary. The Information will be returned to the owner within a reasonable time. Both parties agree that the Information shall not be copied or reproduced in any form. Both parties agree to receive such Information and not disclose such Information. Both parties agree to protect the Information received from distribution, disclosure or dissemination to anyone except employees of the parties with a need to know such Information and which employees agree to be bound by the terms of this Section. Both parties will use the same standard of care to protect Information received as they would use to protect their own confidential and proprietary Information.
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, both parties agree that there will be no obligation to protect any portion of the Information that is either: 1) made publicly available by the owner of the Information or lawfully disclosed by a nonparty to this Agreement; 2) lawfully obtained from any source other than the owner of the Information; or 3) previously known to the receiving party without an obligation to keep it confidential.
Trade Secrets and Confidential Information/Company Property Employee reaffirms and agrees to observe and abide by the terms of the Employment Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement, specifically including the provisions therein regarding nondisclosure of the Company’s trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information, and the restrictive covenants contained therein. Employee’s signature below constitutes his certification under penalty of perjury that he has returned all documents and other items provided to Employee by the Company, developed or obtained by Employee in connection with his employment with the Company, or otherwise belonging to the Company.
Company Creation and Use of Confidential Information The Executive understands and acknowledges that the Company has invested, and continues to invest, substantial time, money and specialized knowledge into developing its resources, creating a customer base, generating customer and potential customer lists, training its employees, and improving its product offerings in the field of financial services. The Executive understands and acknowledges that as a result of these efforts, the Company has created, and continues to use and create Confidential Information. This Confidential Information provides the Company with a competitive advantage over others in the marketplace.
Proprietary Information and Confidentiality Both before and during the term of Executive’s employment, Executive will have access to and become acquainted with Company confidential and proprietary information (together “Proprietary Information”), including but not limited to information or plans concerning the Company’s products and technologies; customer relationships; personnel; sales, marketing and financial operations and methods; trade secrets; formulae and secret developments and inventions; processes; and other compilations of information, records, and specifications. Executive will not disclose any of the Proprietary Information directly or indirectly, or use it in any way, either during his/her employment pursuant to this Agreement or at any time thereafter, except as reasonably required or specifically requested in the course of his/her employment with the Company or as authorized in writing by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Proprietary Information does not include information that is otherwise publicly known or available, provided it has not become public as a result of a breach of this Agreement or any other agreement Executive has to keep information confidential. It is not a breach of this Agreement for Executive to disclose Proprietary Information (i) pursuant to an order of a court or other governmental or legal body or (ii) in connection with Protected Activity (as defined below). Executive understands that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit or prohibit Executive from engaging in any Protected Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, “Protected Activity” means filing a charge or complaint with, or otherwise communicating or cooperating with or participating in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any federal, state or local government agency or commission, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Labor Relations Board (“Government Agencies”). Executive understands that in connection with such Protected Activity, Executive is permitted to disclose documents or other information as permitted by law, and without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company. Notwithstanding, in making any such disclosures or communications, Executive agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Proprietary Information to any parties other than the Government Agencies. Executive further understands that “Protected Activity” does not include the disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications. In addition, Executive hereby acknowledges that the Company has provided Executive with notice in compliance with the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 regarding immunity from liability for limited disclosures of trade secrets. The full text of the notice is attached in Exhibit B.
