What are the laws governing confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements?

In Maryland, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements are legal agreements that protect an employer’s proprietary information. This agreement requires the employee to keep certain information confidential and not share it with outside parties. It also prevents the employee from using the information for personal gain. The law governing these agreements in Maryland are known as the Maryland Trade Secrets Act. The law outlines specific guidelines that employers must follow to ensure that the agreements are valid. The agreement must include a description of the confidential information that it is protecting, what constitutes a breach of the agreement, and what remedies the employer may pursue if the agreement is violated. Additionally, the agreement must be in writing and signed by both the employer and the employee to be enforceable. The Trade Secrets Act also includes a number of protections for employees. It prevents employers from requiring employees to execute overly stringent or broad confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. It also prohibits employers from retaliating against an employee if they refuse to sign a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement. Ultimately, the Maryland Trade Secrets Act provides employers with the legal right to protect their confidential information, while also ensuring that the rights of employees are respected. It’s important that employers comply with the law when drafting and enforcing the agreements, as failure to do so could lead to legal action from the employee and potential civil penalties.

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