Define: Proprietary Information

How is Proprietary Information defined in a legal contract?

• Proprietary Information means any confidential or proprietary knowledge, including but not limited to, trade secrets, inventions, ideas, processes, formulas, data, programs, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs, techniques, information about plans for research, development, new products, marketing and selling, business plans, budgets, financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, and information about the skills and compensation of other employees of an [organization].
  Seen in 385 SEC filings
• Proprietary Information means information owned by a [organization] to which the [organization] claims a protectable interest under law. Proprietary Information includes, but is not limited to, information protected by copyright, patent, trademark, or trade secret laws.
  Seen in 198 SEC filings
• Proprietary Information means any proprietary information developed or acquired by an [organization] that has not been specifically authorized to be disclosed. This information includes intellectual property, proprietary rights of the [organization], computer codes and instructions, processing systems and techniques, business research, procedures, financial data, distribution methods, marketing data, the identities of actual and prospective suppliers, and the terms of contracts with these suppliers.
  Seen in 173 SEC filings
• Proprietary Information means all information designated as proprietary under law and regulation, and held in confidence or disclosed under restriction to prevent uncontrolled distribution. Examples include limited or restricted data, trade secrets, sensitive financial information, and computer software.
  Seen in 162 SEC filings
• Proprietary Information means all financial, technical and other non-public or proprietary information furnished or disclosed by a [organization], including market-sensitive information, and any memoranda, notes, reports, files, copies, inventions, discoveries, improvements derived from this information.
  Seen in 155 SEC filings

Note: The Genie AI Legal Assistant pulled this data out of the SEC EDGAR Database of 500,000 records from the past 22 years of filings. We regularly update this page as new filings and definitions come in.

Search EDGAR for ‘Definitions of proprietary information’ yourself to verify these results. We are always keen to point people to source documents.

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Which definition should you use?

🤔 Our AI Legal Assistant has combined and improved the above descriptions to create market-standard 'Genie definitions' below, with guidance on which documents and which industry to use for each.

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Genie Definition 1

• Proprietary Information means all non-public, confidential or patented knowledge, data, or ideas owned by an [organization].

Relevant Contract Types

• Non-Disclosure Agreement
• Software Licensing Agreement
• Consulting Agreement
• Joint Venture Agreement
• Franchise Agreement

Relevant Circumstances

• When starting a new business partnership or joint venture
• For new agreements with suppliers or vendors.
• When hiring new employees who will have access to sensitive information.
• Establishing a franchise or licensing agreement.
• If you’re a software developer or tech start-up and you need to protect your code, software or other digital product.

Relevant Sectors

• Software Development
• Information Technology and Services
• Management Consulting
• Marketing and Advertising
• Franchising

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Genie Definition 2

• Proprietary Information means items or protocols in confidence to prevent unrestricted circulation, including trade secrets or sensitive financial data.

Relevant Contract Types

• Non-Disclosure Agreement
• Trade Secret Agreement
• Research and Development Agreement
• Manufacturing and Supply Agreement

Relevant Circumstances

• During research and development agreements where sensitive information may be produced.
• To protect manufacturing processes, recipes and other production trade secrets.
• When an employee who was privy to trade secrets leaves the company.
• For new supply agreements where suppliers may have access to sensitive manufacturing, purchasing or pricing information.

Relevant Sectors

• Industry and Manufacturing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food Production
• Supply Chain and Logistics
• Chemicals

Please note that the application of these terms can be adapted to various other circumstances and sectors not listed, depending on the specific needs of the agreement.

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