Protect confidential project information without overreaching.
GFE's onboarding agreement should protect confidential information, proprietary formulas and processes, project documents, supplier and customer relationships, pricing and legitimate commercial opportunities. The exact legal document is sent for electronic signature after business verification.
Signature workflow
After business verification, GFE prepares the applicable agreement in Google Workspace and sends it to the authorized signatory using Google Workspace eSignature. The executed agreement is retained with the client onboarding record before confidential project documentation is released.
Core protections
- Mutual or one-way confidentiality, depending on the project.
- Use of confidential information only for evaluating or performing the defined project.
- No unauthorized disclosure to third parties.
- Return or destruction obligations when appropriate.
- Protection of formula, process, manufacturing and commercial know-how.
- Non-circumvention and non-solicitation protections where they are proportionate and legally appropriate.
- A narrowly drafted restricted-competition rider only when legal review supports it for the governing jurisdiction and transaction.
Why not a blanket non-compete?
Non-compete law varies materially by jurisdiction and context. A broad clause can create enforceability problems and can be less useful than specific confidentiality, non-use, non-circumvention and non-solicitation obligations tied to legitimate proprietary interests. GFE should use governing-law-specific language reviewed by counsel before relying on a restraint.