Office of Research and Technology Ventures
Industry Collaborations
Confidentiality
Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs) are legal contracts that govern the exchange and use of unpublished or proprietary information.
Sharing confidential information with a party in the absence of a CDA may allow unauthorized use of the information for any purpose, including research or commercialization. In addition, such a disclosure may be considered a public disclosure which may limit the ability to obtain worldwide patent rights.
Confidential Disclosure Agreements:
- Specify what information is considered confidential
- Outline the recipient's obligations to keep the information secret
- Restrict the ability of the recipient to publish or otherwise share the information
- Specify that the recipient cannot use the information for commercial purposes
ORTV is responsible for drafting, negotiating and approving CDAs for the exchange of confidential information with parties outside of Dana-Farber.
Please Contact ORTV:
- before you meet with a company to discuss a research collaboration or material transfer;
- before you share unpublished or confidential information with companies;
- if any organization asks you to sign a CDA.