Minnesota Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement (PISA) is a legal contract that governs the protection, ownership, and confidentiality of intellectual property developed or disclosed by employees, contractors, or consultants in a business setting. This agreement aims to safeguard the company's trade secrets, proprietary information, and inventions in Minnesota. The Minnesota PISA typically consists of several crucial components, including: 1. Definitions: This section clarifies key terms used throughout the agreement, such as "confidential information," "inventions," and "trade secrets." It ensures a shared understanding of the language used in the contract. 2. Confidentiality Obligations: The agreement establishes the obligation of employees, contractors, or consultants to maintain strict confidentiality regarding any confidential information they access during their relationship with the company. It highlights the importance of protecting sensitive data from unauthorized disclosure. 3. Ownership of Inventions and Intellectual Property: The PISA specifies that any inventions, ideas, or intellectual property developed by employees as part of their job responsibilities or using company resources are the exclusive property of the employer. This provision ensures that the company retains rights and control over the intellectual property generated within its business operations. 4. Duty to Disclose: Employees are required to promptly disclose any inventions, improvements, or unique ideas they create during their employment. This provision ensures that the employer remains aware of all potentially patentable innovations developed by its employees and allows for appropriate protection measures to be taken. 5. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation: Some Minnesota PISA agreements may include clauses limiting employees' ability to compete with the employer or solicit customers or employees for a set period after the termination of employment. These provisions aim to prevent unfair competition and the misuse of proprietary information by former employees. 6. Enforcement and Remedies: This section outlines the available legal remedies in case of breach of the PISA. It may include provisions for injunctive relief, monetary damages, or attorney fees, aiming to incentivize compliance with the agreement terms. It's worth mentioning that specific industries or companies may have unique variations of the Minnesota Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement tailored to their specific needs. For example, technology companies or research institutions may have more detailed clauses related to patent applications and research outcomes. However, the general purpose of these agreements remains consistent — to protect the company's proprietary information, trade secrets, and inventions while establishing clear ownership and confidentiality guidelines.