You Got an NDA to Sign

Someone Sent You an NDA.
Now What?

Don't just sign it. Understand what you're agreeing to, spot the red flags, and know when to push back. Free tools and templates to protect yourself.

What to Do When You Receive an NDA

Follow this process to protect yourself before signing any non-disclosure agreement.

1

Read the Entire Document

Don't skip to the signature page. NDAs often bury problematic clauses in the middle. Pay special attention to definitions, obligations, term/duration, and remedies sections.

2

Check for Red Flags

Use our red flags checklist to identify clauses that are overly one-sided, unusual, or potentially harmful to you. Common issues include perpetual terms, overly broad definitions, and hidden non-competes.

3

Understand What You're Agreeing To

Make sure you understand the scope of confidential information, your obligations, the term/duration, and what happens if there's a dispute. Use our Risk Analyzer for a clause-by-clause breakdown.

4

Compare to Industry Standard

Is this NDA reasonable for your situation? Use our comparison tool to see how their terms stack up against a fair, balanced NDA.

5

Negotiate Problematic Terms

You don't have to accept everything as-is. Use our negotiation playbook and email templates to push back professionally.

Not Sure If You Should Sign?

Get professional attorney review of your NDA. Fast turnaround, clear recommendations.

Request Attorney Review ($150+)

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? See our complete FAQ page with 15+ detailed answers about reviewing, negotiating, and signing NDAs.

No, you don't have to sign anything. NDAs are contracts, and contracts require mutual agreement. You can negotiate terms, propose your own version, or decline entirely. However, the other party may choose not to proceed with the business relationship if you don't sign. It's a negotiation.

This is a common negotiation tactic. While some large companies do have rigid policies, most can make changes if the deal is valuable enough. Push back politely on terms that are truly problematic. Often, claiming something is "standard" is just the opening position.

One-way (unilateral) NDA: Only one party discloses confidential information, and only the receiving party has confidentiality obligations. Commonly used for employees, vendors, or when one party holds all the sensitive information.

Mutual (bilateral) NDA: Both parties may disclose confidential information, and both have equal obligations to protect the other's information. This is fairer when both sides are sharing sensitive business information.

Typical NDA terms range from 1-5 years, with 2-3 years being most common for business discussions. Be wary of "perpetual" or "indefinite" terms - these bind you forever. Trade secrets may warrant longer protection, but general business information shouldn't require eternal confidentiality.

Absolutely, and you should for significant deals. While our tools help you understand common issues, an attorney can provide personalized advice for your specific situation. Contact us for professional NDA review ($150+).

Consequences vary based on the NDA terms and the severity of the breach. The other party could sue for damages (actual losses caused by the breach), seek injunctive relief (court order to stop disclosure), or pursue specific performance. Some NDAs include liquidated damages clauses specifying a fixed amount. Intentional breaches are treated more seriously than accidental ones.

Need Help?

Not sure what to do with the NDA you received?

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