📚 Quick Terminology Reference
| English Term | Spanish Term | Alternative Spanish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) | Acuerdo de Confidencialidad | Acuerdo de No Divulgacion | Both equally valid; first is more common |
| Confidential Information | Informacion Confidencial | Informacion Reservada | First term is standard |
| Disclosing Party | Parte Divulgadora | Parte Reveladora | Both widely accepted |
| Receiving Party | Parte Receptora | Parte Destinataria | First is more common |
| Trade Secret | Secreto Comercial | Secreto Industrial | Industrial more common in Mexico |
| Governing Law | Ley Aplicable | Legislacion Aplicable | First is standard |
| Injunctive Relief | Medidas Cautelares | Tutela Judicial | First more widely understood |
| Breach | Incumplimiento | Violacion del Acuerdo | Incumplimiento is more formal |
| Work Product | Producto de Trabajo | Obra Realizada | First is literal translation |
| Intellectual Property | Propiedad Intelectual | PI (abbreviation) | Direct translation is standard |
Definition of Confidential Information
Core Clause
🇺🇸 English
"Confidential Information" means any and all information, technical data, or know-how furnished by either Party, whether in written, oral, electronic, or other form, that (a) is marked, accompanied, or supported by documents clearly designating such information as "confidential," "proprietary," or with similar designation; (b) is identified as confidential before, during, or promptly after presentation or communication; or (c) should reasonably be known to be confidential given the nature of the information and circumstances of disclosure.
🇲🇽 Spanish
"Informacion Confidencial" significa toda la informacion, datos tecnicos o conocimientos proporcionados por cualquiera de las Partes, ya sea en forma escrita, oral, electronica u otra forma, que (a) este marcada, acompanada o respaldada por documentos que designen claramente dicha informacion como "confidencial," "propietaria," o con designacion similar; (b) sea identificada como confidencial antes, durante o inmediatamente despues de la presentacion o comunicacion; o (c) razonablemente deba conocerse como confidencial dada la naturaleza de la informacion y las circunstancias de divulgacion.
Translation Notes
- "Know-how" is often kept in English or translated as "conocimientos" or "saber hacer"
- The three-part definition structure (marked, identified, or reasonably confidential) should be preserved exactly
- Some jurisdictions prefer "Informacion Reservada" instead of "Informacion Confidencial"
Non-Disclosure Obligations
Core Clause
🇺🇸 English
The Receiving Party agrees to: (a) hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence; (b) not disclose any Confidential Information to third parties without prior written authorization from the Disclosing Party; (c) use Confidential Information solely for the Purpose; (d) limit disclosure to employees and advisors with a need to know who are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as restrictive as those herein; and (e) take all reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized disclosure.
🇲🇽 Spanish
La Parte Receptora acuerda: (a) mantener toda la Informacion Confidencial en estricta confidencialidad; (b) no divulgar ninguna Informacion Confidencial a terceros sin autorizacion previa por escrito de la Parte Divulgadora; (c) usar la Informacion Confidencial unicamente para el Proposito; (d) limitar la divulgacion a empleados y asesores con necesidad de conocer que esten sujetos a obligaciones de confidencialidad al menos tan restrictivas como las aqui contenidas; y (e) tomar todas las precauciones razonables para prevenir la divulgacion no autorizada.
Translation Notes
- "Need to know" is translated as "necesidad de conocer" - a direct translation that is well understood
- "Herein" becomes "aqui contenidas" or "del presente acuerdo"
- The lettered list structure (a, b, c...) should be preserved for clarity
Exclusions from Confidential Information
Core Clause
🇺🇸 English
Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) is or becomes publicly available through no fault of the Receiving Party; (b) was rightfully in the Receiving Party's possession before disclosure; (c) is rightfully received from a third party without restriction and without breach of this Agreement; or (d) is independently developed by the Receiving Party without use of or reference to the Disclosing Party's Confidential Information.
🇲🇽 Spanish
La Informacion Confidencial no incluye informacion que: (a) sea o se haga disponible publicamente sin culpa de la Parte Receptora; (b) estuviera legitimamente en posesion de la Parte Receptora antes de la divulgacion; (c) sea legitimamente recibida de un tercero sin restriccion y sin violacion de este Acuerdo; o (d) sea desarrollada independientemente por la Parte Receptora sin uso ni referencia a la Informacion Confidencial de la Parte Divulgadora.
Translation Notes
- "Through no fault" translates to "sin culpa de" - important for liability purposes
- "Rightfully" is "legitimamente" - emphasizes lawful possession
- These four exclusions are standard and should always be included
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
Core Clause
🇺🇸 English
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [State], United States of America, without regard to its conflicts of law principles. The Parties agree that the courts of [City, State] shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising under this Agreement.
🇲🇽 Spanish
Este Acuerdo se regira e interpretara de acuerdo con las leyes del Estado de [Estado], Estados Unidos de America, sin considerar sus principios de conflicto de leyes. Las Partes acuerdan que los tribunales de [Ciudad, Estado] tendran jurisdiccion exclusiva sobre cualquier disputa que surja de este Acuerdo.
Regional Variations
How Different Countries Refer to Courts
🇲🇽
Tribunales Competentes
Mexico - Competent Courts
🇪🇸
Juzgados y Tribunales
Spain - Courts and Tribunals
🇦🇷
Tribunales Ordinarios
Argentina - Ordinary Courts
Prevailing Language Clause
Optional Clause
🇺🇸 English
This Agreement is executed in both English and Spanish. In case of any conflict, discrepancy, or ambiguity between the two language versions, the English version shall prevail and be used to interpret this Agreement.
🇲🇽 Spanish
Este Acuerdo se ejecuta en ingles y espanol. En caso de cualquier conflicto, discrepancia o ambiguedad entre las dos versiones del idioma, prevalecera la version en ingles y se utilizara para interpretar este Acuerdo.
Important Considerations
- This clause is essential for bilingual NDAs to resolve interpretation disputes
- US companies typically require English to prevail; this may be a negotiation point
- Alternative: "Both versions are equally authentic" (mas raro / less common)
- Spanish alternative phrasing: "tendra precedencia" instead of "prevalecera"
Intellectual Property Assignment
Employment/Contractor
🇺🇸 English
Employee/Contractor hereby irrevocably assigns to Company all right, title, and interest in and to any and all inventions, discoveries, designs, developments, improvements, works of authorship, and other work product created in connection with services performed for Company. This assignment includes all intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.
🇲🇽 Spanish
El Empleado/Contratista por este medio cede irrevocablemente a la Empresa todos los derechos, titulo e interes en y sobre cualquier y toda invencion, descubrimiento, diseno, desarrollo, mejora, obra de autoria, y otro producto de trabajo creado en relacion con los servicios realizados para la Empresa. Esta cesion incluye todos los derechos de propiedad intelectual, incluyendo patentes, derechos de autor, marcas registradas y secretos comerciales.
Translation Notes
- "Works of authorship" = "obras de autoria" (copyright law term)
- "Work product" = "producto de trabajo" (literal, widely understood)
- "Assign" in IP context = "ceder" (not "asignar")
- Note: IP assignment laws vary by country - Mexico and Spain have different rules for employee inventions
Injunctive Relief
Optional Clause
🇺🇸 English
The Receiving Party acknowledges that any breach of this Agreement may cause irreparable harm to the Disclosing Party for which monetary damages would be inadequate. Therefore, the Disclosing Party shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief, specific performance, or other equitable remedies, in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity, without the necessity of proving actual damages or posting bond.
🇲🇽 Spanish
La Parte Receptora reconoce que cualquier violacion de este Acuerdo puede causar dano irreparable a la Parte Divulgadora para el cual los danos monetarios serian inadecuados. Por lo tanto, la Parte Divulgadora tendra derecho a buscar medidas cautelares, cumplimiento especifico u otros recursos de equidad, ademas de todos los demas recursos disponibles en derecho o equidad, sin necesidad de probar danos reales ni de presentar fianza.
Translation Notes
- "Injunctive relief" = "medidas cautelares" (preventive/injunctive measures)
- "Equitable remedies" = "recursos de equidad" - concept may need explanation in civil law jurisdictions
- "Posting bond" = "presentar fianza" or "constituir garantia"
- Note: Equitable remedies are common law concepts; civil law countries have similar but not identical mechanisms
Standstill Clause
Deal-Specific
🇺🇸 English
For a period of [X] months from the Effective Date, neither Party shall, without the prior written consent of the other: (a) acquire or seek to acquire any securities or assets of the other Party; (b) make any public announcement regarding a potential transaction; (c) solicit proxies or seek to influence voting of the other Party's securities; or (d) take any action that could force the other Party to make a public announcement regarding a potential transaction.
🇲🇽 Spanish
Por un periodo de [X] meses desde la Fecha de Entrada en Vigor, ninguna de las Partes podra, sin el consentimiento previo por escrito de la otra: (a) adquirir o intentar adquirir valores o activos de la otra Parte; (b) hacer anuncios publicos sobre una transaccion potencial; (c) solicitar poderes de voto o buscar influir en la votacion de los valores de la otra Parte; o (d) tomar cualquier accion que pueda forzar a la otra Parte a hacer un anuncio publico sobre una transaccion potencial.
Translation Notes
- "Standstill" = "statu quo" or "periodo de inmovilizacion" (literally: immobilization period)
- "Solicit proxies" = "solicitar poderes de voto" or "solicitar representaciones"
- This clause is common in M&A and investment contexts to prevent hostile actions during negotiations
Non-Solicitation
Employment/Contractor
🇺🇸 English
For a period of [X] years following termination, the Receiving Party agrees not to: (a) directly or indirectly solicit, recruit, or hire any employee of the Disclosing Party; or (b) solicit or attempt to solicit any customer, client, or business partner of the Disclosing Party with whom the Receiving Party had contact or about whom it received Confidential Information.
🇲🇽 Spanish
Por un periodo de [X] anos despues de la terminacion, la Parte Receptora acuerda no: (a) directa o indirectamente solicitar, reclutar o contratar a cualquier empleado de la Parte Divulgadora; o (b) solicitar o intentar solicitar a cualquier cliente o socio comercial de la Parte Divulgadora con quien la Parte Receptora haya tenido contacto o sobre quien haya recibido Informacion Confidencial.
Translation Notes
- "Solicit" = "solicitar" - same word covers recruiting employees and pursuing customers
- "Business partner" = "socio comercial" or "asociado de negocios"
- Enforceability varies significantly by country - may be limited under local labor laws