Best examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships

Partnership NDA examples you can actually use

Most lawyers will tell you “it depends.” That’s technically true, but not very helpful when you just want to see concrete examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships in the wild. So let’s start with realistic scenarios and how the NDA language usually adapts.

Example 1: Startup–corporate innovation partnership

A seed‑stage software startup partners with a Fortune 500 company to co‑develop an AI tool. The corporate partner is sharing:

• Customer data (de‑identified where possible)
• Internal workflows and process maps
• Product roadmaps

The startup is sharing:

• Source code
• Model architectures
• Training methods and prompts

In this kind of deal, the best examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships will usually:

• Define confidential information broadly, but with specific references to source code, algorithms, training data, and internal business processes.
• Carve out aggregated and anonymized data, so the corporate can still use high‑level insights without breaching confidentiality.
• Address AI‑related IP: who owns model improvements trained on the corporate’s data? The NDA will often say that using the data to improve generalized models is allowed only if the output cannot be reverse‑engineered to reveal confidential information.
• Include strict security standards, referencing industry norms (for example, SOC 2–level controls) and sometimes tying them to applicable privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or GDPR for global data.

This example of a partnership NDA is becoming more common as AI collaborations explode. It’s not enough to say “keep this confidential.” You need to spell out how data, models, and derived insights are handled.

Example 2: Marketing collaboration between two brands

Two mid‑size consumer brands team up for a co‑branded campaign. Each side shares:

• Customer demographics and persona research
• Pricing strategies and discount structures
• Upcoming product launch timelines

Here, the lighter‑weight examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships focus on:

• Use limitations: confidential information can only be used to plan and execute the joint campaign, not to target the other party’s customers later.
• Non‑solicitation language: each party agrees not to directly solicit or poach the other’s key employees or major customers during the partnership and for a specified period after.
• Shorter confidentiality duration: instead of 5–7 years, you might see 2–3 years, reflecting the shorter commercial life of marketing data.

This is a good example of a nondisclosure agreement that’s narrower and more business‑friendly, which helps the marketing teams move fast without the legal terms feeling like handcuffs.

Example 3: Joint R&D partnership between companies or universities

Research partnerships often involve universities, research institutes, or pharma/biotech companies. Think of two organizations co‑developing a new medical device or drug delivery technology.

In some of the best examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships in R&D settings, you’ll see:

• Detailed IP ownership rules: background IP (what each party brings in) stays with that party; foreground IP (what’s created together) may be jointly owned or allocated based on contribution.
• Publication rights: universities and researchers want to publish. The NDA will usually allow publication after a review period (for example, 60–90 days) so the commercial partner can file patent applications.
• Regulatory and ethical compliance: references to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), FDA regulations, or relevant standards when human subjects or health data are involved.

For real‑world context on how research collaborations are structured, the National Institutes of Health describes its own collaboration models and confidentiality expectations here: https://www.nih.gov/research-training/medical-research-initiatives.

This kind of example of a nondisclosure agreement shows how balancing academic openness with commercial secrecy is a negotiation, not a template checkbox.

Example 4: Manufacturing and supply‑chain partnerships

A U.S. hardware company works with an overseas manufacturer to produce a new device. The U.S. company shares:

• CAD files and design specifications
• Bill of materials
• Testing procedures and tolerances

The manufacturer shares:

• Proprietary production methods
• Yield data and process improvements

Effective examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships in this context usually:

• Tie confidentiality to trade secret law, explicitly referencing that certain information is intended to qualify as a trade secret under applicable law.
• Address subcontractors: the manufacturer can only share confidential information with approved subcontractors under written NDAs at least as protective as the main agreement.
• Include audit or inspection rights: the buyer may have a limited right to verify that confidential information is being handled properly at the factory.
• Add export‑control language: if designs are subject to U.S. export control laws, the NDA may restrict transfers to certain countries or persons.

This is a classic example of a nondisclosure agreement where a leak can directly destroy a product’s competitive advantage by enabling knockoffs.

Example 5: Strategic partnership between competitors ("frenemies")

Sometimes direct competitors explore a joint venture, a shared logistics network, or even a potential merger. The risk of misuse is high, so the NDA needs sharper edges.

In these higher‑risk examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships, look for:

• Clean team provisions: only a limited group of people (often outside advisors or a ring‑fenced internal team) can see the most sensitive data.
• Standstill or use restrictions: the receiving party may be barred from using confidential information to launch competing products, adjust pricing, or target specific customers.
• Stronger injunctive relief language: clearly stating that a breach would cause irreparable harm and that the disclosing party can seek immediate court orders to stop misuse.

Competition‑sensitive NDAs are often paired with antitrust guidance. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice regularly update guidance on information exchanges among competitors: https://www.ftc.gov.

This example of a nondisclosure agreement shows how you can share just enough to explore a deal without handing your rival a playbook.

Example 6: Cross‑border tech partnership with data transfers

A U.S. SaaS provider partners with a European reseller. Both sides will access:

• Customer usage data
• Support tickets, some containing personal information
• Internal performance metrics

Modern examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships that cross borders now routinely:

• Reference privacy laws directly: GDPR, CCPA, and other national privacy laws may be named, with a requirement to process data in compliance with those regimes.
• Include data transfer mechanisms: standard contractual clauses or other mechanisms for transferring data from the EU to the U.S.
• Set incident‑response obligations: time‑bound requirements to notify the other party of security incidents or breaches.

For a sense of how data privacy overlays with confidentiality, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission offers guidance on protecting personal information and handling breaches: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance.

This is a good example of a nondisclosure agreement that recognizes confidentiality and data protection are related but not identical.

Key clauses that show up in the best partnership NDA examples

When you look across these real examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships, a pattern emerges. The labels change, but the backbone is familiar.

Definition of Confidential Information
Good NDAs define it clearly and tailor it to the partnership. For a software joint venture, source code and APIs will be called out. For a pharmaceutical research alliance, lab notebooks, clinical data, and protocols are front and center.

Permitted Use
The information can only be used for the defined “Purpose” of the partnership: evaluating a deal, building a product together, co‑marketing, or operating a joint venture. Anything outside that box is off‑limits.

Exclusions
Common exclusions include information that is public, already known to the recipient, independently developed, or received from a third party without breach. In the best examples, these exclusions are written tightly so they can’t be abused.

Standard of Care
Most NDAs require at least “reasonable” care, sometimes “the same care you use for your own information.” In higher‑risk examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships, you might see more specific security controls or references to industry standards.

Term and Survival
The business relationship might last a year; the confidentiality obligations might last 3, 5, or even 10 years, depending on the industry. Trade secrets can be protected indefinitely.

Remedies
Well‑drafted NDAs make it clear that monetary damages may not be enough and that injunctive relief is available. That clarity alone can deter misuse.

Trends shaping partnership NDAs in 2024–2025

If you’re looking for current examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships, you’ll notice a few trends compared with older templates floating around the internet.

1. More explicit data and AI language
Partnerships involving AI, data analytics, and machine learning now routinely:

• Distinguish between raw data, derived data, and model outputs.
• Limit training models on a partner’s data unless specifically allowed.
• Address how synthetic data, anonymization, and aggregation affect confidentiality.

2. Privacy and security baked in
With regulators worldwide tightening privacy rules, NDAs increasingly:

• Reference privacy laws and security frameworks directly.
• Require partners to notify each other quickly about incidents.
• Clarify that compliance obligations survive the end of the partnership.

For broader context on current privacy expectations, the International Association of Privacy Professionals provides helpful overviews: https://iapp.org.

3. Remote and global teams
Partners now assume information will flow across time zones, cloud platforms, and devices. Modern examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships:

• Address access controls for contractors and remote workers.
• Specify where data can be stored or processed.
• Sometimes require approval before using certain third‑party tools.

4. More negotiation over duration and scope
Partners are pushing back on “forever NDA” language unless trade secrets are clearly involved. You’ll see more nuanced drafting: for example, 3 years for general business info, indefinite protection for trade secrets.

How to use these examples without copying them blindly

Looking at real examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships is a smart starting point, but copying someone else’s form word‑for‑word is risky. Every partnership has its own:

• Power balance
• Regulatory landscape
• Data sensitivity
• IP strategy

When you adapt an example of a nondisclosure agreement, pressure‑test it against your actual deal:

• Does the Purpose clause match what you’re really doing? If you’re moving from “evaluation” to full operational partnership, you may need a new NDA or an amendment.
• Are you protecting the right things? If your secret sauce is your algorithm, but the NDA only focuses on customer lists, something’s off.
• Can you realistically comply with what you’re signing? If the NDA requires security controls or audit rights you can’t support, negotiate them before signing.

And a practical point: NDAs are usually governed by state or national law. U.S. businesses often pick Delaware, New York, or California law; international partnerships might choose English law or another neutral jurisdiction. Make sure your example matches the legal system you’re actually in.

FAQ: Nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships

What are some common examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships?
Common patterns include NDAs for startup–corporate innovation projects, co‑marketing campaigns, joint R&D between companies or universities, manufacturing and supply‑chain deals, competitor “clean team” evaluations, and cross‑border tech partnerships that involve data transfers.

Can I use one NDA template for every partnership?
You can start from a base form, but the best examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships are customized. A research collaboration needs different protections than a short marketing alliance. At minimum, adjust the definition of confidential information, the Purpose clause, the duration, and any data/privacy language.

What is an example of a clause I should never skip?
You should not skip a clear Permitted Use clause. Without it, it’s harder to argue that a partner misused confidential information, because the NDA never spelled out how it could and could not be used.

Are mutual NDAs always better than one‑way NDAs for partnerships?
Not always. Many partnerships are asymmetric: one party shares far more sensitive information than the other. Mutual NDAs are common, but in some real examples of nondisclosure agreement examples for partnerships (for instance, a small vendor pitching to a large buyer), a one‑way NDA may make more sense.

Do NDAs actually hold up in court?
Yes, courts in the U.S. and many other countries regularly enforce NDAs, especially when they are specific, reasonable in scope and duration, and consistent with trade secret law. Vague, overbroad NDAs are more likely to be challenged.

Is an NDA enough to protect my partnership?
An NDA is one piece of the puzzle. For serious partnerships, you’ll also want a main partnership or joint venture agreement covering IP ownership, revenue sharing, governance, and exit rules. The NDA focuses on confidentiality; it doesn’t replace a full commercial contract.

Important: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change, and how they apply to your situation depends on specific facts. Talk with a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction before relying on any example of a nondisclosure agreement for a real partnership.