In an article recently posted at mondaq.com, Richard Stobbe provides several excellent examples of why employers should consult with their counsel when drafting trade secrets and confidentiality agreements, instead of copying cookie-cutter examples found on the internet.
In his article, Keeping Secrets: Trade Secrets and Confidentiality Agreements, Stobbe notes that many “off-the-shelf” agreements are drafted with terms that do not apply to the employer’s business or the specific transaction, or apply another state’s laws. Also, many form agreements define key terms, such as “confidential information,” which an employer may not be aware of or understand. The failure to strictly comply with these defined terms may render the agreement unenforceable.
The issues raised in Stobbe’s article are especially relevant for employers in Tennessee where agreements restricting trade are generally disfavored and strictly construed against the employer. Rather than rely on form agreements, employers should consult with counsel to insure their non-compete, trade secrets, and confidentiality agreements comply with their state’s laws.
