NDA Creator — Generate a Non-Disclosure Agreement in Seconds
A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) protects confidential information shared between two parties. Whether you need to protect a business idea, trade secret, or sensitive data during a partnership, Contractable generates a customized NDA tailored to your situation in seconds. Describe what you need to protect in one sentence and our AI builds the agreement — no legal background required.
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Key Clauses to Include
Definition of confidential information
The clause that does the actual work in an NDA is the definition of what counts as "confidential." Too broad ("anything discussed") and a court may find it unenforceable for being vague; too narrow and it misses the information you actually need to protect. A well-drafted definition names the categories that matter (financials, source code, customer lists, product plans) and specifies whether it covers oral disclosures, not just written or marked documents.
Standard exclusions
Nearly every enforceable NDA excludes information that is already public, was already known to the receiving party before disclosure, is independently developed without reference to the confidential information, or must be disclosed under a court order or subpoena. Leaving these out does not make the NDA "stronger" — it makes it look boilerplate and increases the odds a court narrows it.
Mutual vs. unilateral
Use a unilateral NDA when only one side is disclosing sensitive information — for example, a client sharing a business idea with a freelancer. Use a mutual NDA when both sides will exchange confidential information, such as two companies discussing a partnership or acquisition. A mutual NDA protects both parties equally; a unilateral one only protects the discloser.
Term and duration
Most business NDAs run 1–5 years from signing or from the end of the relationship. Trade secrets are the exception: under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, adopted in some form by most U.S. states, trade secret protection lasts as long as the information stays genuinely secret, which is why NDAs covering trade secrets are sometimes written to run indefinitely for that specific category of information.
Remedies clause
Because a breach of confidentiality is often hard to price in dollars (how do you value a leaked product roadmap?), most NDAs state that a breach causes irreparable harm and that the disclosing party can seek an injunction, not just monetary damages. This clause does not guarantee a court will grant one, but it puts the receiving party on notice that money damages alone may not be treated as sufficient.
State-by-State Considerations
NDA enforceability is mostly governed by general contract law plus each state's trade secret statute, so requirements are broadly similar nationwide. The one area to watch is any clause that starts to resemble a non-compete (for example, restricting who the receiving party can work for, not just what they can disclose) — several states, California being the strictest, heavily restrict or void non-compete-style provisions, and a court can strike an overreaching clause even inside an otherwise valid NDA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NDA?
An NDA (non-disclosure agreement) is a legally binding contract that prevents one or more parties from sharing confidential information with third parties. NDAs are commonly used in business partnerships, hiring, and product development to protect trade secrets, business plans, and proprietary data.
Is a Contractable NDA legally binding?
Yes. Contractable NDAs are built on real legal clauses sourced from trusted legal professionals. Like any contract, enforceability depends on both parties signing and the agreement meeting the legal requirements of your jurisdiction.
What is the difference between a unilateral and mutual NDA?
A unilateral NDA protects information flowing in one direction — one party shares, the other keeps it confidential. A mutual NDA protects both parties when each is sharing confidential information with the other. Contractable can generate both types.
How long does an NDA last?
NDA duration depends on what you need to protect. Common terms range from 1 to 5 years, though some NDAs are indefinite for specific types of trade secrets. Contractable lets you specify the duration when generating your agreement.
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