Florida law generally permits non-compete agreements to last for a reasonable period of time. Under Florida Statutes Section 542.335, courts typically uphold agreements of six months to two years, depending on the circumstances.
Whether or not the overall agreement has a definite term, the parties' nondisclosure obligations can be stated to survive for a set period. Survival periods of one to five years are typical. The term often depends on the type of information involved and how quickly the information changes.
In Florida, non-disclosure agreements that apply to former employees or contractors can generally last from six months to two years, while NDAs involving former distributors, franchisees, or licensees can generally last from one to three years.
By law, a nondisclosure contract must be reasonable and necessary for protecting a legitimate business interest. It must also be limited in scope and duration, in terms of timing, geography, and other relevant factors. While not required, you should put any confidentiality agreement in writing.
To create a Non-Disclosure Agreement, include the following information: The parties' names and contact information. The length of the non-disclosure period. The scope and definition of the confidential information. The obligations of the Non-Disclosure Agreement. The ownership and return information.
Time frame: Most NDAs don't last forever, and many confidentiality agreements explicitly state the number of years that sensitive information must be kept secret. Even those with an indefinite time frame will often indicate when information is no longer protected by the agreement.
In addition to FUTSA, Florida case law also enforces NDAs, especially when the agreement might be considered overly broad or restrictive. At the federal level, the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) offers protection and remedies for misappropriation of trade secrets, which may apply in situations involving NDAs.
You do not need a lawyer to create and sign a non-disclosure agreement. However, if the information you are trying to protect is important enough to warrant an NDA, you may want to have the document reviewed by someone with legal expertise.
The key elements of Non-Disclosure Agreements: Identification of the parties. Definition of what is deemed to be confidential. The scope of the confidentiality obligation by the receiving party. The exclusions from confidential treatment. The term of the agreement.
You do not need a lawyer to create and sign a non-disclosure agreement. However, if the information you are trying to protect is important enough to warrant an NDA, you may want to have the document reviewed by someone with legal expertise.