A South Dakota Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legal contract that establishes a confidential relationship between a software author and a software publisher operating in South Dakota. This agreement ensures that sensitive information exchanged between the two parties remains confidential and prohibits the unauthorized disclosure or use of such information. A typical South Dakota NDA between a software author and software publisher includes the following key elements: 1. Parties: Clearly identify the two parties involved in the agreement — the software author and the software publisher. Include their legal names and addresses for official purposes. 2. Definition of Confidential Information: Define what information is considered confidential under the agreement. This may include source code, algorithms, software designs, trade secrets, customer lists, business strategies, marketing plans, financial data, or any other proprietary information involved in the software development or publishing process. 3. Purpose of the Agreement: State the purpose of the NDA, which is to protect the confidential information shared between the software author and the software publisher during their working relationship. 4. Non-Disclosure Obligations: Specify the obligations of both parties regarding the handling of confidential information. The software author agrees not to disclose or make the confidential information available to any third parties without the publisher's prior written consent. The publisher, on the other hand, agrees to safeguard the confidential information and not use it for any unauthorized purpose. 5. Exceptions: Provide a clause that outlines the exceptions to the non-disclosure obligations of the parties. This may include situations where the information is already publicly known or becomes publicly known through no fault of either party, or if required to disclose by law or court order. 6. Term and Termination: Specify the duration of the agreement, starting from the effective date, and include reasons for termination, such as mutual agreement, breach of the agreement, or completion of the working relationship. 7. Remedies: Define the legal remedies for any breaches of the NDA. This may involve injunctive relief, monetary damages, or any other appropriate relief as determined by a court of law. 8. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Mention that the agreement will be governed by and construed under the laws of South Dakota and include the jurisdiction where any disputes or legal actions will be handled. Types of South Dakota Non-Disclosure Agreements between Software Authors and Software Publishers: 1. Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (MNA): This type of NDA is commonly used when both the software author and the software publisher will be sharing confidential information with each other. It ensures that both parties are bound not to disclose or use each other's sensitive information. 2. One-Way Non-Disclosure Agreement: This type of NDA is applicable when only one party will be sharing confidential information with the other party. The recipient party is obligated to maintain the confidentiality of the disclosed information but is not required to share any of its own confidential information in return. 3. Multi-Party Non-Disclosure Agreement: In situations where multiple software authors or publishers are involved in a collaborative project, a multi-party NDA may be required. This agreement establishes the confidentiality obligations among all parties, ensuring that their shared information remains protected. It is important to consult with legal professionals familiar with South Dakota laws and regulations while drafting or enforcing a South Dakota Non-Disclosure Agreement to ensure compliance and effectiveness.