首頁 > 知識分享 > Step by Step 建立企業英文的 NDA 範本

Step by Step 建立企業英文的 NDA 範本

2018/12/31
目錄

賴文智律師

本文摘錄自《從NDA到營業秘密管理》,讀享出版社

購書連結:博客來誠品momo金石堂灰熊iREAD

NDA (NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT,即一般所稱的保密協議、保密合約書)大概是許多非法律專業人士接觸英文契約開始,合作對象提供的NDA,原則上處理起來比較簡單,幾個重點看過、確實符合該次合作的狀況、沒有什麼大問題,大概就簽了。但如果說要作為企業對外提供予合作對象簽署的NDA範本,講究的細節就多了。如果目前企業還沒有建立自己的英文NDA範本的話,不妨看看如何善用Google大神,一步步建立企業的英文NDA範本吧!

拜網路資源公開分享之賜,以NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT作為關鍵字輸入Google檢索,足足可以找到上「億」筆資料(其實我自己都嚇一跳),其中會不會有一份洽好適合自己企業需求的NDA?「會」,但要看你能不能從上億筆資料中過濾出來那份洽好適合的版本,通常我們的運氣都沒有那麼好,所以,還是乖乖自行「過濾」吧!

我們的目標是建立一份企業提供予合作對象簽署的NDA範本,大的目標是最好可以找到一份最接近我們使用需求的文稿來進行細部的客製化調整,因此,過濾的大原則如下:

  1. 先決定是要單向保密的NDA或是雙向保密的NDA,因為這二種的文稿會有一定的差異。如果是雙向保密的NDA,可以直接使用MUTUAL NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT作為關鍵字,這樣會比較精確一些。當然,會錯過不少,因為很多NDA即使是雙向保密,也不一定會出現MUTUAL這個字。但如果搜尋的結果還是有上千萬筆,我想任何人都不會在意的。
  2. 將政府機關、非營利組織等網站所提供的NDA排除,因為這類網站分享的NDA通常跟我們的需求比較不符合,連點進去檢視的時間都不需要浪費,網路上的資料實在太多啦!不用擔心錯過什麼。
  3. 選擇有條文「標題」的文稿,而且先選擇比較複雜的版本,由繁複的版本刪改成較精簡的版本總是比較容易。有條文「標題」的文稿比較容易快速確認契約文件的大架構,可以比較快找出我們所需要的條款大致都有的NDA檔案。
  4. 儘可能選擇英語系國家的網站提供的文稿,這樣可以減少文稿中出現怪怪的英文的機率,並下載至少10份左右可編輯的檔案,Word或是Html都沒關係。PDF檔即使可以編輯,也不是那麼方便,通常我都直接跳過,只有要查找、比對特定條款時,才會參考。

進行上述準備工作的時候,相信大家都能體會法律AI發展並不是那麼容易,因為聰明如Google,大概也是要一直往下點選搜尋結果第7~10「頁」才能找齊我們大概需要的NDA檔案,眼睛都快花了。跟我們搜尋一般資訊時,往往在第1頁,最多第2頁就找到資料的情形不太一樣。其實,不少國外的法律文件網站已有提供協助客製化製作NDA的服務,相信讀者在前述準備的過程也會發現,因為NDA已經算是契約領域中相對單純、已經充份類型化的文件,但這類網站能夠客製化的範圍也很有限,跟自己找範本,改一下公司名稱、準據法、管轄法院不會差太多。

完成初步的準備之後,接下來我們就要從認識NDA中常出現的「標題」,來快速選擇較適合我們的NDA文稿囉!


接下來我們來看看實質上如何挑出我們所需要的NDA文稿,快速地瀏覽NDA文稿的條文「標題」,可以確認至少這些用以參考的文稿,我們需要的條款大部分都齊備了。那一般企業提供予合作夥伴簽署的NDA,大概需要哪些條文/標題呢?

1. 機密資訊的定義/Confidential Information, Definition, Scope of Confidential Information

定義什麼是機密資訊,當然是有必要的。在雙向的保密協議書中通常會以揭露方(Disclosing Party)與接受方(Receiving Party)描述,因為雙方都可能相互向他方揭露機密資訊;而機密資訊定義的寫法也很多種,會影響機密資訊的範圍,在雙向的NDA我們通常會較合理的考慮執行的可能性,所以,通常機密資訊的定義會比較明確一些,例如:要標示有機密等字樣、要告知為機密資訊等,以避免什麼樣的資訊看起來都好像符合機密資訊的定義,反而難以真正保密。

2. 接受方的保密義務及限制/Obligations, Non-Disclosure

接受方應該要保密以及只能在「目的」範圍內為利用,或是以負面的方式描述,揭受方不能在超出「目的」範圍為利用。「目的」通常會寫在保密協議書的前言(Whereas),也有單獨列為一項條款的。在挑選NDA範本的時候,通常我們會選擇有把接受方對其聘僱人員等的揭露也只能限於「必要」範圍,以及該等人員違反保密義務,接受方也要連帶負責等寫清楚的條文。

3. 保密責任的除外規定/Exception

由於保密責任通常約定得比較廣泛,還是需要有一些像是原先就屬於公開的資訊、在接受方自揭露方以外在未違反其保密義務的情形下合法取得的資訊、揭露方可以證明是獨立、未利用機密資訊所獲得的資訊、法院或政府機關依法要求揭露的情形等。

4. 期間及終止/Term and Termination, Duration

NDA通常還是會約定一個期間,至於保密期間比較常出現的是期滿後一定期間仍須負保密責任,或是保密責任不受NDA終止或屆滿的影響(永久保密?),也可能有提前終止的約定。後續我們會再談怎麼選擇適當的條款。

5. 未為授權或權利移轉的條款/No Licenses

除了聲明機密資訊仍然屬於揭露方的權利之外,簽署NDA不代表揭露方一定同意接受方「已經」取得被授權利用該等機密資訊(營業秘密)的合法地位,多數的時候揭露只是為了「評估」是否要進一步合作,所以,只能限於評估的範圍去「檢視」該等機密資訊,而不是可以「利用」,是否可以合法利用還是要回到雙方後續的合作契約或授權契約而定。所以,很多的NDA會特別強調「沒有授權」這樣的事實。

6. 未為擔保的條款/No Warranties

不少NDA會有揭露方不就其所提供的機密資訊為任何擔保,這個比較容易想像,理論上就只是「揭露」而已,本來就不能拿來做什麼正式的用途,更沒有獲得什麼實際的對價,聲明不會做任何的保證是很正常的。

7. 返還或銷毀的條款/Return of Materials

揭露方可以在任何合約期間、終止或屆滿後一定期間內要求接受方將揭露方所提供的機密資訊返還或銷毀是蠻重要的條款,細節也還不少,有些甚至還很謹慎地把律師可以留存哪些資訊以備後續可能的爭訟使用都講得很清楚…(有想過律師其實根本就不想留客戶的機密資訊嗎?哈哈哈!)

8. 違約處理條款/Remedies

違約如何處理?一般就是照法律規定處理,所以,沒有約定也OK。如果要特別約定的話,違約金是最主要的考量,如果覺得應該要有違約金的約定,可以在找例稿時多留意幾個版本。

9. 雜項(其他)條款/Miscellaneous

無論是通知、準據法、管轄法院、合約完整性、份數等等,總之,通常出現在合約最末的條款,都可以統整放在雜項條款中呈現,大部分的合約或是NDA都有,但簡單到複雜也還不少差異。

透過「標題」的過濾找到幾份比較適合的NDA稿本之後,接下來我們就從NDA比較常見的條款及不同版本寫法的解讀來跟大家一起「客製化」適合自己的NDA吧!


接下來我們就來談談從透過網路挑選而來的NDA文稿,客製化成企業所需的NDA範本,原則上是帶領大家看英文的NDA條款,了解意思之後,說明各條款可能有的「變化」及企業可能的需求,剩下的就是英文的問題,那就只能靠讀者自己啦!

一、NDA開頭的序文

不少英文合約在締約雙方當事人的說明之下,會有合約的序文(Recitals)。最常看到的開頭就是Whereas,所以,也常被稱為Whereas條款。主要是在先對於締約的背景作一個事實的交待。有部分的NDA會在Whereas條款中說明雙方揭露機密資訊的目的,甚至是機密資訊的定義。考量到英美契約法中有關於約因的要求,通常我們還是建議選擇有Whereas條款的文稿作為企業的NDA例稿比較好,但應該簡單一點、保留彈性,不要寫得太複雜,以適用於大多數的情形。

WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed that they may disclose Confidential Information to each other (and to specified third parties) in relation to the Business Purpose under the conditions of confidentiality set out in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

上述這樣的描述,把雙方簽署NDA揭露機密資訊的商業目的(Business Purpose)放在NDA的本文中填寫,Confidential Information也用大寫呈現預告後續本文中會有定義,是比較簡短、有彈性的表達方式,值得讀者們學習。

二、機密資訊的定義

NDA一般對於機密資訊定義的寫法,大概分成二大類,第一種是把機密資訊定義寫得非常廣,幾乎就是包山包海,只要是未經公開的資訊或是明確列出來的資訊類型都是機密資訊(可能之後會再由保密義務的限制去做限縮),第二種就是把機密資訊定義限於必須要標示或告知屬於「機密」的才算是機密資訊。

二種寫法各有優劣,前者的問題在於看起來被保護的「機密資訊」範圍很廣,但實際上到底什麼樣的資訊是應該被保護的,反而不容易「明確化」,也會造成營業秘密管理在執行上的困擾;後者的問題在於企業最好有營業秘密管理制度的搭配,否則,如果實際執行的同仁沒有將應該保密的資訊做適當的「機密」標示或告知,可能導致原應保密的機密資訊喪失秘密性,但好處則在於雙方都很清楚什麼是要保密的機密資訊,比較不容易起爭執。

第一種的機密資訊的定義,下述的舉例看起來是不是覺得很完整呢?

The Confidential Information disclosed under this Agreement (“Confidential Information”) is described generally as any and all current and future product information, financial, technical, commercial, and other business information including, but not limited to financial, or other information of the Disclosing Party (whether written or oral), including, without limitation, all information, notes, client lists and records, reports, analyses, financial statements, compilations, studies, forms, business or management methods, marketing data, fee schedules, information technology systems and programs, projections, forecasts or trade secrets of the Disclosing Party, whether or not such Confidential Information is disclosed or otherwise made available to the Receiving Party by the Disclosing Party pursuant to this Agreement. (attach separate page if necessary)

是不是覺得這樣的寫法雖然很寬,但有點不合理?對了,就是這樣寫好像不管是不是「機密」,都變成機密資訊啦!一般來說,機密資訊的定義如果寫得這麼寬的話,通常還會在其後的條款中,加上已經屬於公知的資訊等,不會受到保密義務的拘束,這樣整個前後對照才會合理,不致引人笑話。另外一種變形的寫法,則是直接在定義中將「非公開」列成要件,這樣直接看「機密資訊」的定義本身就比較合理。

The term “Confidential Information” as used in this Agreement means information disclosed by the disclosing party (“Disclosing Party”) to the receiving party (the “Receiving Party”) which is non-public, proprietary and/or confidential in nature, whether provided in writing, orally, visually, electronically or by other means. The term “Confidential Information” includes, but is not limited to, (i) know-how, trade secrets, tools, methods, methodologies, techniques, designs, specifications, computer source code, partner or customer lists and information, marketing plans, personnel information, financial information, business strategies, and information relating to released or unreleased software, hardware or technology; (ii) information received by the Disclosing Party from third parties under confidential conditions which information is identified by the Disclosing Party as being subject to such conditions.

第二種的機密資訊定義的寫法,則看起來機密資訊的範圍會比較明確,即必須是有標示「機密」或在揭露時指定該等資訊應予保密,才屬於NDA中接受方應予保密的「機密資訊」,例如下方的寫法:

For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” shall mean any and all technical and non-technical information including but not limited to business plans, techniques, sketches, drawings, models, inventions, know-how, processes, apparatus, equipment, algorithms, software programs, software source documents, and formulae related to current and future proposed products and services of each of the Parties, and includes, without limitation, their respective information concerning research, experimental work, development, design details and specifications, engineering, financial information, procurement requirements, purchasing, manufacturing, customer lists, business forecasts, sales and merchandising, and marketing plans and information. To be considered to be confidential, the Confidential Information must be (a) marked “confidential” at the time of disclosure or (b) if orally disclosed, designated as confidential at the time of disclosure.

這類對機密資訊定義比較嚴的條款,通常使用在雙向保密的NDA中,因為單向保密的NDA,通常提供例稿的一方會覺得應列入保密範圍的「機密資訊」是「多多益善」。至於雙向保密的NDA,採取這二種定義寫法的NDA例稿其實都不少,以筆者過去審閱NDA的經驗,第一種寫法的比例還是比較高一些,這也可以看得出企業撰擬NDA時,通常是本著「寧可錯殺,不可放過」的心態,但恐怕也是反映出絕大多數的企業都沒有實施營業秘密管理的制度,因為如果實際實施的話,就會知道第一種定義下的機密資訊,只能很籠統地請員工把相關往來的資訊全部歸檔當作保密的範圍,但對內或對外揭露資訊時,又往往很難遵守嚴格保密的要求,最後就會造成保密不受重視,反而造成營業秘密管理的難題。怎麼選,就交給讀者自行決定啦!

三、接受方義務(保密義務)

NDA當然必須要約定保密義務啦!寫法有很多,通常至少要包括幾個要點,如:保密、不可以超出合作目的範圍外利用、僅得對符合特定條件的人士揭露等。

最簡單描述保密義務的方式,可能就只是要求機密資訊的揭露方,不得在特定目的之外為揭露或利用,例如:The Receiving Party shall not disclose or make use of the Confidential Information in any way, except for the following purpose: . 然而,這樣是不是感覺少了些什麼?一般可以再考慮加上:

  1. 注意義務的標準(Standard of Care) The Receiving Party shall protect the Confidential Information by using the same degree of care, but no less than a reasonable degree of care, to prevent the unauthorized use, disclosure, dissemination, or publication of the Confidential Information as The Receiving Party uses to protect its own Confidential Information of a like nature. 這樣的寫法相對我國民法有關過失的概念,如果沒有「no less than a reasonable degree of care」,比較接近具體的輕過失,就是必須盡與對自己所擁有的機密資訊相當的保密義務。當然,通常NDA不會主動把保護的標準降低,所以,通常會加上「no less than a reasonable degree of care」,這樣就相當於「善良管理人的注意義務」。
  2. 僅在必要範圍內揭露The Receiving Party shall not reproduce, provide, or otherwise make available any Confidential Information to any person other than those of its employees who have a need to know consistent with the Receiving Party’s authorized use of such information. The Receiving Party agrees that it will take appropriate action by instruction or agreement with its employees and other persons permitted access to Confidential Information to satisfy its obligations with respect to the use, copying, security, and protection of the Confidential Information. 到底接受方可以把機密資訊提供或揭露給誰?客戶有時候非常謹慎,當我們請客戶把合約的完整內容提供給我們審閱時,客戶會很擔心的說,我們有簽保密協議,合約內容也是在保密的範圍,提供給律師審閱,是不是就違反保密協議了?一般的保密協議並不會把律師特別排除在可以揭露的範圍外,但確實有些保密的條款寫得非常簡單,簡單到好像只有簽約的二造當事人可以接觸機密資訊,但這顯然是不合理的?例如:如果二造當事人有糾紛,能不能讓律師審閱以評估風險?雖然說你不講,我不講,並不會有人知道律師看過,但這樣顯然就是沒有做合理的安排,我們在做NDA例稿時,當然不會犯這種錯,所以,就會有這樣的揭露的條款,通常我們選擇的就是「need to know」這樣的描述,也很常看到「on a need-to-know basis only」,都是類似的意思,比較有彈性。也有直接就直白地寫可以揭露給特定專業人員或董事,例如:「The Receiving Party may disclose confidential information to professional advisors, including lawyers, accountants and board members.」當然,也有非常嚴格的保密義務的約定,會要求任何接受方同意揭露或提供的第三人,都必須單獨與揭露方簽署保密協議,像是重要的電腦程式的原始碼,許多時候揭露方可能會選擇用這樣的方式來控管。但一般的NDA就比較少見。
  3. 須對其所同意揭露之人負責:既然接受方可以在「need to know」這樣的基礎下揭露機密資訊予其相關人等,那麼,這些人如果有洩密的情形,那該怎麼處理呢?一般我們會要求揭受方必須要為其所同意揭露的相關人等違反保密義務負起責任。例如:The Receiving Party shall be responsible for compliance with and for any breach by itself or its employees and Permitted Persons of all of the terms and covenants herein. 有時候也可能寫得複雜一點,會要求接受方必須要採取一些措施要求這些接受機密資訊的人保密,再強調接受方必須為這些人違反保密條款負責。例如:The Receiving Party will inform each of its employees, agents, delegates, subsidiaries and affiliates (the “Representatives”) who will receive Confidential Information of the obligations under this Agreement and agrees to take all commercially reasonable measures to restrain them from taking any action that would constitute a breach of the terms of this Agreement. In any event, the Receiving Party shall be responsible for any breach of the terms of this Agreement by any of its Representatives.

四、保密責任的除外規定

合宜的保密責任除外規定,對NDA來說是非常重要的,可以免於接受方捲入無謂的訟爭。一般比較常見的情形包括:接受方在收到機密資訊之前就已經合法取得、並非因可歸責接受方的事由導致機密資訊被公開、由揭露方以外的第三人處合法取得,且並不受該第三人或揭露方保密義務的拘束、獨立由接受方自行研發、依據法律的規定或配合行政或司法程序的揭露等。這類的條款差異有限,通常審閱時個人都是很快的帶過去。比較常見的條款寫法可以參考如下:

This Agreement imposes no obligation upon the Receiving Party with respect to information that: (a) was rightfully in the Receiving Party’s possession before receipt from ; (b) is or becomes public knowledge through no fault of the Receiving Party or it’s employees; (c) is rightfully received by the Receiving Party from a third party without restriction and without knowledge of any obligation of confidentiality between the third party and the Disclosing Party; (d) is independently developed by the Receiving Party without reliance on the Confidential Information (by personnel to whom the Confidential Information was not disclosed); (e) is disclosed under operation of law; or (f) is disclosed by the Receiving Party with the Disclosing Party’s prior written approval.

Confidential Information shall not include information which:

(a) is or became available to the public through no fault of the Receiving Party;

(b) was obtained in good faith by the Receiving Party from a third party without breach of any obligation of confidentiality owed to any third party and/or the Disclosing Party;

(c) was independently developed by the Receiving Party without any breach of this Agreement;

(d) was communicated in response to a valid order by a court or other governmental body, or was otherwise required by law; provided the Party that is required to disclose the Confidential Information immediately notifies the other Party of such required disclosure sufficiently in advance of the disclosure; or

(e) is already known to the Receiving Party prior to the disclosure of the information thereof by the Disclosing Party without an obligation to keep such information confidential pursuant to this Agreement.

五、期間及終止

NDA的有效期間大概是NDA例稿最困難的條款。為什麼這樣說呢?理論上,不同層級的機密資訊「解密」或「脫密」的程序或時程並不相同。NDA例稿要因應不同類型的對外交易合作,可能揭露的機密資訊也各不相同,NDA例稿應該要提醒使用的同仁必須依個別交易合作可能機密資訊揭露的狀況進行調整。一般比較常見至NDA有效期間終止或屆滿後2、3年,也有比較長到5年。為了避免有機密資訊到約定的保密期間仍然有保密的需求,通常我們會搭配揭露方可以隨時要求返還或銷毀的條款。

This Agreement is applicable only to Confidential Information that is disclosed between the Effective Date and (“End Date”). The Receiving Party’s duty to protect Confidential Information expires three (3) years from the End Date. The Receiving Party, upon the Disclosing Party’s written request, will promptly return all Confidential Information received from the Disclosing Party, together with all copies, or certify in writing that all such Confidential Information and copies thereof have been destroyed.

也有非常簡單的條款:This Agreement shall become effective on . The obligations of confidentiality will be in effect for five (5) years starting from the above effective date. 這是從NDA生效日起算5年,也是常見的寫法。

另外一種所謂永久保密的條款,寫法是有關保密的義務,在NDA終止或屆滿後仍然持續有效。例如:This Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two (2) years from the Effective Date unless otherwise terminated by either Party giving notice to the other of its desire to terminate this Agreement. The requirement to protect Confidential Information disclosed under this Agreement shall survive termination or expiration of this Agreement.

或許不少讀者會覺得為了公司機密資訊的安全,選擇永久保密的條款應該是最安全的,但不要忘了,我們是在設計雙向保密的NDA例稿,不但是交易的相對方要負永久保密的責任,我們自己也要對於他方的機密資訊負永久保密的責任,二方的風險同時都要考量喔!

六、未為授權或權利移轉的條款

NDA的簽署通常是在雙方正式合作之前,而NDA的用意也只在確保所揭露的機密資訊,不得作為雙方正式合作前評估使用(通常會寫出特定的目的),但也只能「評估」,可不能直接應用於自己的產品或服務上,因為,應用在產品或服務通常並不在NDA所約定特定目的的範圍。英文契約經常對於重要的事情反覆強調,所以,很常見到強調NDA並未為任何授權或移轉權利的條款。千萬不要覺得簽署NDA之後,對方也有提供機密資訊,就可以應用在商品或服務上,NDA不是授權契約,如有利用他方機密資訊的需求,應該要另簽署正式的合作或授權契約。可以參考下述的文句:

All Confidential Information furnished pursuant to this Agreement is done so solely for the purpose of evaluation of each party’s potential interest in mutual business activity. No other right, license or authorization, express or implied, to use is granted and each Party agrees to be so limited with respect to all Confidential Information hereby received.

Neither party to this Agreement acquires any intellectual property rights or licenses under any trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, patents, mask works right or any other intellectual property rights, whether express or implied, under this Agreement. Neither party will identify the other party or use the other party’s name, trademark, logo or acronym in any press release, advertising, sales material, public disclosure or publicity without prior written authorization.

七、未為擔保的條款

未為任何擔保的條款,常見於智慧財產權授權契約中,NDA雖然不是授權契約,但因為涉及機密資訊的提供,為了避免他方因為評估的過程或是在正式簽署合作合約前期進行試做或試用而產生任何損害,經常會模仿授權契約增加未為任何保證或擔保的條款,包括機密資訊的正確性、可靠性、適用性、未侵害他人權利等。其常見寫法如下: All Confidential Information is provided by the Disclosing Party “As Is.” The Disclosing Party makes no warranties, express, implied or statutory, regarding the accuracy, completeness, performance, merchantability, fitness for use, non-infringement or other attributes of its Confidential Information.

八、返還或銷毀的條款

NDA可以說只是一份暫時用以保障揭露機密資訊不致外流或作其他利用的文件,並不是長期要讓機密資訊處於揭露方所不能掌控的狀態下,因此,NDA經常會有應揭露方要求,返還或銷毀機密資訊的條款,尤其是當我國營業秘密法第13條之1的刑事責任規範中,特別將「持有營業秘密,經營業秘密所有人告知應刪除、銷毀後,不為刪除、銷毀或隱匿該營業秘密者」列為獨立的犯罪行為時,更突顯NDA中這類條款的重要性。

常見的寫法如: All Confidential Information exchanged between the Parties pursuant to this Agreement shall, upon respective request of the Disclosing Party, either be returned to the Disclosing Party or be destroyed by the Receiving Party after termination of this Agreement. 或是像:At the Disclosing Party’s written request, the Receiving Party shall return to the Disclosing Party all Confidential Information and copies thereof in any medium or certify in writing by an authorized representative its destruction.是否需要書面請求、銷毀的程序如何執行等,都可以有不同的變化。

也有更嚴格一點的寫法,直接約定終止或屆期時應返還或銷毀機密資訊,例如:In the event of termination or expiration of this Agreement, the Receiving Party shall immediately destroy or return, at the Disclosing Party’s option, the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information and all copies thereof. 這樣的條款雖然看起來很有保障,但實際執行起來非常痛苦,因為一旦終止或屆期就必須返還或銷毀,必須要搭配有效的營業秘密管理,不然,到時候很難證明已經全部返還或銷毀。

九、違約處理條款

有些客戶會詢問NDA如果沒有另外約定違約處理的條款,是不是違約就不需要負責任?其實不會,因為NDA本質也是一種合約,當發生違約情事時,除了可以依據NDA本身的違約條款處理外,也可以依據其所適用準據法國家的法律補充適用。例如:準據法如果是台灣的法律,就可以依據民法有關債務不履行的規定,請求損害賠償。因此,許多雙向的NDA可能會出現比較像是須擔保他方免於因違約等而受損害而應予賠償的條款,例如: Each Party shall indemnify and save and hold harmless the other Party for all damages, claims, liabilities and expenses arising out of any breach or failure to comply with any of the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement.

目前NDA在違約處理條款比較重要的反而是著重在於違約時,他方當事人可以採取聲請「injunction」(一般多譯為禁制令或禁止命令,接近我國定暫時狀態處分的概念)尋求保護的條款。這從台灣的智慧財產案件審理法第22條第2項規定來看可能比較容易理解,其規定,「聲請定暫時狀態之處分時,聲請人就其爭執之法律關係,為防止發生重大之損害或避免急迫之危險或有其他相類之情形而有必要之事實,應釋明之;其釋明有不足者,法院應駁回聲請。」違反NDA時,如果揭露方要聲請定暫時狀態處分,必須要先「釋明」有發生重大損害或急迫之危險,NDA中若直接約定雙方認知違反NDA會造成難以回復的損害,自然有機會作為一種向法院「釋明」的證據。

所以,我們經常可以看到NDA有下述的條款:Each party agrees and acknowledges that any breach of this Agreement may cause irreparable harm to the other party for which monetary damages may be inadequate. Accordingly, the harmed party may be entitled to seek injunctive or other equitable relief to remedy any threatened or actual breach of this Agreement by the other party.

另外一個經常被拿出來討論的就是「違約金」的條款,在雙向保密的NDA中,「違約金」的條款比較少見,因為雙方都會有點怕怕的,金額也不好拿捏。如果個案有需要的話,可以參考如下:Should any Party, deliberately or negligently, be in breach of any of the obligations under this Agreement, it shall pay a penalty in an amount of [ ] to the other Party for each breach. Said penalty leaves unaffected the demand for actual damages. 當然,還可以再細緻一點談如何計算違約的次數等,讀者們可以好好地應用Google找到適合的條款參考。

十、其他可能出現的條款

還有許多沒有被列出來,但可能讀者們在找NDA例稿時會看到的,以下舉幾種條款提供參考:

  1. 雙方並不因NDA的簽署而構成代理、合夥、共同投資等關係(Independent Action ),例如:Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to constitute an agency, partnership, joint venture, or other similar relationship between the Parties.
  2. NDA的簽署未課予他方有交換機密資訊或進行買賣、授權等義務(No Obligation),例如:This Agreement imposes no obligation on a party to exchange Confidential Information or to purchase, sell, license, transfer or otherwise make use of any technology, services or products.
  3. 不得違反技術等出口禁令(Export Restrictions),像是長久以來被美方制裁的伊朗、北韓等,在美中貿易大戰中這類出口禁止違反的案例讓中國廠商吃盡苦頭,其條款如下:Confidential Information disclosed pursuant to this Agreement may include technology and/or software that is subject to export control laws or regulations of the United States and/or other countries, and with respect to which international transfers or releases to foreign nationals may be subject to restrictions, including export licensing requirements, whether or not identified by the Discloser. Any transfer or release of such Confidential Information hereunder shall be subject to all applicable U.S. and other export control laws and regulations. Without limiting the foregoing, the Receiving Party shall ensure that any further transfer or release of Confidential Information hereunder is conducted in accordance with applicable export licenses or regulatory exceptions.

十一、雜項條款

看到Miscellaneous相信讀者們心情都會很愉快,因為這代表契約就要結束了。一般通常把Miscellaneous譯為雜項條款或其他條款,也有用一般條款這樣的用語,不過個人覺得前者比較適合。雜項條款無論是一般商業合約或是NDA都差不多,通常處理像是:構成完整契約、不得轉讓、一部無效不會造成全部無效、未行使權利不構成放棄權利、通知、準據法、管轄法院、合約份數等議題。不過,NDA不一定全部都要放上去,但因為英文的NDA例稿很常被用於跨境的交易,所以,至少應該要放準據法及管轄法院的條款。

  1. 完整契約(Entire Agreement)This Agreement embodies the entire understanding between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof. Any additions or modifications to this Agreement must be made in writing and must be signed by both parties.
  2. 禁止轉讓(Assignment):Neither party may assign or transfer this Agreement as a whole, or any of its rights or obligations under it, without first obtaining the written consent of the other party. That consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
  3. 一部無效其他仍然有效(可分離)條款(Severability): Any provision of this Agreement which is held by a Court of competent jurisdiction to be prohibited or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
  4. 通知條款(Notices): Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be sufficient if in writing, and sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to each Party’s principal office or address.
  5. 準據法及管轄法院(Governing Law and Venue): This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of Taiwan (R.O.C.). The Parties agree that the Taiwan Taipei District Court (or Intellectual Property Court) shall have jurisdiction and venue with respect to any dispute arising out of this Agreement.
  6. 合約份數(Counterparts):This Agreement may be executed in two (2) counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

另外,因應現代許多NDA簽署具有時效性,未必都來得及以書面跨國簽署、寄送,所以,也可以考慮放上只要傳真簽署就生效的條款。If this document is transmitted by facsimile, the facsimile version of this, as received, shall constitute the original, and shall be binding on the parties as if it were manually signed. The parties agree that they may treat and rely upon any facsimile version hereof as the signed original.

最後的最後,加上結尾的文句及雙方簽名處,就完成啦!

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

The Disclosing Party Receiving Party

By [簽名處]

Name:

Title:

Date:

The Receiving Party

By [簽名處]

Name:

Title:

Date:

十二、小結

自己做一份NDA例稿,當然不需要所有的條款都自己重頭寫,重點是先大致了解大概企業需要哪些條款,再以一份大致OK的NDA文稿進行客製化的調整,甚至可以準備許多份不同的例稿供不同的情境使用。如果統一只用一份例稿時,最好要在向企業內部各部門同仁提供例稿時說明設計及使用的情境,畢竟,要一份NDA例稿走天下可能常常會遇到意想不到的困難。

至於在進行客製化時,需要使用比較特殊的用語或條款,可以多多利用本文提供的英文條款中的「關鍵字」,透過Google進行搜尋,應該能夠更精確地找到可以用的條款。這樣的技巧其實也可以應用在其他的商務英文合約,只是商務合約通常隨著交易不同有相當大的不同,不像NDA比較容易找出共同的條款。恭禧大家終於讀完啦!

請輸入關鍵字