The film (movie) non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is for use when sharing an original film concept, storyline, or screenplay. The film materials that you seek to protect must be confidential information — that is, they should have only been disclosed to people bound to maintain its secrecy. If you have disclosed your film concept without requiring secrecy, for example to actors or a producer, you will have a more difficult time enforcing this NDA. There are three other requirements to protect a film concept: your idea must be novel and original; your idea must have been solicited, and the purpose of disclosing your idea is to generate revenue. If you wish to use this NDA for some other audiovisual format, substitute the type of media (TV Show, Documentary, Music Video, etc.) for the term “Film.”
This film non-disclosure agreement (the “Agreement”) is made between _________________ (the “Disclosing Party”) and _________________ (the “Receiving Party”) and is effective _________________. The parties agree as follows:
1. The Film Concept
The Agreement is intended to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information (as defined below) regarding the film concept of Disclosing Party (the “Film Concept”). The parties acknowledge that Receiving Party has solicited the Film Concept with the potential of financial exploitation.
2. Confidential Information
“Confidential Information” is proprietary information relating to the Film Concept including but not limited to: story boards, synopsis, summary, screenplay, story, pitch, financial analysis, marketing plans, or other information conveyed in writing or in discussion that is indicated to be confidential.
3. Non-Disclosure
Without Disclosing Party’s prior written consent, Receiving Party will not: (a) disclose Confidential Information to any third party; (b) make or permit to be made copies or other reproductions of Confidential Information; or (c) make any commercial use of Confidential Information. Receiving Party will carefully restrict access to Confidential Information to those of its officers, directors and employees who are subject to non-disclosure restrictions at least as protective as those set forth in this Agreement and who clearly need such access to participate on Receiving Party’s behalf in the analysis and negotiation of a business relationship or any contract or agreement with Disclosing Party.
4. Return of Film Materials
Upon Disclosing Party’s request, Receiving Party shall within thirty days return all original materials provided by Disclosing Party and any copies, notes or other documents in Receiving Party’s possession pertaining to the Film Concept or Confidential Information.
5. Exclusions
This agreement does not apply to any information that: (a) was in Receiving Party’s possession or was known to Receiving Party, without an obligation to keep it confidential, before such information was disclosed to Receiving Party by Disclosing Party; (b) is or becomes public knowledge through a source other than Receiving Party and through no fault of Receiving Party; (c) is or becomes lawfully available to Receiving Party from a source other than Disclosing Party; or (d) is disclosed by Receiving Party with Disclosing Party’s prior written approval.
6. Term
This Agreement and Receiving Party’s duty to hold Confidential Information in confidence shall remain in effect until _________________ or until whichever of the following occurs first: (a) Disclosing Party sends Receiving Party written notice releasing it from this Agreement, or (b) Confidential Information disclosed under this Agreement ceases to be confidential.
7. Warranty
Disclosing Party warrants that the Film Concept is original to Disclosing Party and that Disclosing Party has the right to make the disclosures under this Agreement.
8. No Rights Granted
This Agreement does not constitute a grant or an intention or commitment to grant any right, title or interest in the Film Concept or the Confidential Information to Receiving Party.
9. General Provisions
(a) Relationships. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute either party a partner, joint venturer or employee of the other party for any purpose.
(b) Severability. If a court finds any provision of this Agreement invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as best to effect the intent of the parties.
(c) Integration. This Agreement expresses the complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior proposals, agreements, representations and understandings. This Agreement may not be amended except in a writing signed by both parties.
(d) Waiver. The failure to exercise any right provided in this Agreement shall not be a waiver of prior or subsequent rights.
(e) Attorney Fees and Expenses. In a dispute arising out of or related to this Agreement, the prevailing party shall have the right to collect from the other party its reasonable attorney fees and costs and necessary expenditures.
(f) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of _________________.
(g) Successors & Assigns. This Agreement shall bind each party’s heirs, successors and assigns. Receiving Party may not assign or transfer its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Disclosing Party. However, no consent is required for an assignment or transfer that occurs: (a) to an entity in which Receiving Party owns more than fifty percent of the assets; or (b) as part of a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of Receiving Party to any party. Any assignment or transfer in violation of this section shall be void.
Disclosing Party:
_____________________________________________ (Signature)
_____________________ (Typed or Printed Name)
Title: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Receiving Party:
_____________________________________________ (Signature)
_____________________ (Typed or Printed Name)
Title: _____________________
Date: _____________________
As noted, if you have disclosed your film concept without requiring secrecy, for example to actors, investors, or a producer, you will have a more difficult time enforcing this NDA. There are three other requirements to protect a film concept: your idea must be novel and original; your idea must have been solicited, and the purpose of disclosing your idea is to generate revenue. If you wish to use this NDA for some other audiovisual, substitute the type of media (TV Show, Documentary, Music Video, for the terms “Film” and “Film Concept.”
Below we provide an explanation for each of the provisions in the Film (Movie) Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Introductory Paragraph
Fill in your name or company name (you are the Disclosing Party). Fill in the name of the Receiving Party. That’s the individual or company evaluating your film concept (for example, an investor or producer). Finally, fill in the date the agreement will take effect. This is often the date that the last party signs the agreement.
1. The Film Concept
This clause identifies the film concept that is the subject of the transaction between the parties. Because film ideas are difficult to protect, this clause contains two statements that have been used successfully in disputes: that the ideas have been solicited and that the arrangement is for compensation.
2. Confidential Information
This section defines what is protected against disclosure. Keep in mind that if you are providing documentation, you should designate and that information as confidential. If the information is spoken, you should announce the confidentiality.
3. Non-Disclosure
This clause makes clear that your trade secrets must be kept in confidence by the receiving party and may not be revealed to others without your prior written consent.
4. Return of Materials
The receiving party promises to return materials that you provided. The agreement gives the receiving party 30 days to return the materials, but you can change this time period if you wish.
5. Exclusions
This provision describes all the types of information that are not covered by the agreement. These exclusions are based on court decisions and state trade secret laws that say these types of information do not qualify for trade secret protection.
6. Term
This clause provides the receiving party with a termination date of the agreement. The Agreement should last as long as the information is likely to remain a secret. In the film industry, one or two years is a common period, but it can be much shorter, even as little as six months.
7. No Rights Granted
This clause makes clear that you are not granting any ownership rights in the film concept or the confidential information to the receiving party.
8. Warranty
A warranty is a promise. Here, you promise the receiving party that the film concept is original and that you have the right to disclose the information. This is intended to assure the receiving party that it won’t be sued by some third party claiming that the trade secrets belonged to it and that you had no right to reveal them to the receiving party.
9. General Provisions
These miscellaneous provisions (sometimes referred to as “boilerplate”) are usually grouped together at the end of an agreement.
(a) Relationships. Most agreements include a provision like this one, disclaiming any relationship other than that defined in the agreement.
(b) Severability. The severability clause provides that if you wind up in a lawsuit over the agreement and a court rules that one part of the agreement is invalid, that part can be cut out and the rest of the agreement will remain valid.
(c) Integration. The integration provision verifies that the version you are signing is the final version and that neither of you can rely on statements made in the past.
(d) Waiver. This provision states that even if you don’t promptly complain about a violation of the NDA, you still have the right to complain about it later.
(e) Attorney Fees and Expenses. If you don’t include an attorney fees clause in your agreement, a judge may (in most states) order the award of attorney fees in cases where the theft of the trade secret was willful and malicious. It’s up to the judge, which makes things unpredictable. You are far better off using an attorney fees provision. However, don’t be surprised if the other party is opposed to the idea. Why? Because it is the receiving party that is usually sued, not vice-versa, and the receiving party may believe that the provision will encourage you to litigate.
(f) Governing Law. You can choose any state’s laws to govern the agreement, though the most logical state for this provision is the state where the property is located.
(g) Successors and Assigns. This provision binds any company that acquires either party.
Signing the agreement. Someone with the necessary authority must sign the agreement on behalf of each party. Each party should sign two copies and keep one. This way, both parties have an original signed agreement.
