Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement
Overview of this form
The Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, often referred to as a Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement (PIIAA), is a legal document used by employers to protect their intellectual property. This agreement ensures that any proprietary information, inventions, or other intellectual property created by employees during their employment becomes the property of the employer. Unlike generic employment contracts, this specific agreement emphasizes confidentiality and the assignment of inventions, making it essential for companies that depend on proprietary technology or confidential business information.
Key parts of this document
- Non-disclosure clause: Obligates employees to maintain confidentiality regarding the companyâs proprietary information.
- Assignment of inventions: Requires employees to assign rights to inventions conceived during their employment to the company.
- Third-party information: Addresses the handling of confidential information received from third parties.
- Prior inventions disclosure: Allows employees to list inventions created prior to employment that should not be assigned to the company.
- Governing law: Specifies the legal jurisdiction that governs the agreement.
Common use cases
This form should be utilized when an employer wishes to establish clear guidelines regarding the ownership of inventions and proprietary information created by employees. It is particularly necessary for businesses engaged in research and development, tech companies, or any organization where intellectual property plays a significant role in its operations. If your company is hiring personnel who may develop new products, processes, or technologies, using this agreement is critical to protecting your companyâs assets.
Who should use this form
The following parties should consider using the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement:
- Employers and business owners looking to safeguard their proprietary information.
- Companies in the technology, research, or creative fields where intellectual property is a key asset.
- Human resources professionals responsible for drafting employment contracts.
- Employees who want clarity on the ownership of their inventions while working for their employer.
Instructions for completing this form
- Identify the parties: Fill in the names of the employee and the company sponsoring the agreement.
- Specify the proprietary information: Clearly define what constitutes proprietary information per the agreement.
- List prior inventions: Use Exhibit A to detail any inventions created before employment that should remain the employee's property.
- Obtain signatures: Ensure both the employee and an authorized representative of the company sign the agreement.
- Keep a copy: Make sure both parties retain a signed copy of the agreement for their records.
Is notarization required?
This form does not typically require notarization unless specified by local law. It is advisable to check state-specific requirements to ensure compliance.
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Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.
Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.
Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.
If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.
We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.
Avoid these common issues
- Failing to disclose prior inventions that could lead to disputes later on.
- Not obtaining signature from both parties, making the agreement unenforceable.
- Using vague language when defining proprietary information, which can create ambiguity.
Advantages of online completion
- Convenience of downloading and customizing the form to fit specific employment situations.
- Time-saving features allow easy editing without the need for legal advisory fees.
- Secure storage options ensure that both electronic and hard copies are accessible and protected.
Quick recap
- The Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement is crucial for protecting a company's intellectual property.
- Clear terms must be specified regarding proprietary information and assignment of inventions.
- Employees should disclose any prior inventions to avoid conflicts of ownership later.
- This form serves both the employer's and the employee's interests, fostering transparency and legal clarity.
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FAQ
A proprietary rights agreement is a legal document that ensures a party has the right to use another person's trademarked name, logo, slogan, or idea. This allows you to protect your company from being sued by somebody else for infringing on their intellectual property.
The general rule is that you own the patent rights to an invention you create during the course of your employment unless you either: signed an employment agreement assigning invention rights, or. were specifically hired (even without a written agreement) for your inventing skills or to create the invention.
A proprietary information agreement is a legally binding contract that determines terms and conditions between parties that ensures they will not share or disclose confidential company information or intellectual property.
What is a Proprietary Information And Inventions Agreement? A proprietary information and inventions agreement is a legal agreement between a company and typically its employee put in place to protect any exclusive and intellectual property of the company.
An invention agreement is a legal document that allows companies to retain the rights to intellectual property and creative works developed by employees during their time employed.
Therefore, the PIIA is the employee's agreement that everything created by the employee for the employer is owned by the employer, and if the employer needs the employee to do anything or sign any document to confirm that the employer owns all the rights in the intellectual property developments, the employee agrees in
Employment Inventions any Invention which is made wholly or partially by the Employee at any time during the course of his employment with the Company (whether or not during working hours or using premises or resources or the Company, and whether or not recorded in material form).
