TUTSA compliant. Includes mutual and one-way versions with Texas-specific notes on scope, enforceability, and overly broad NDAs.
Texas-Specific Legal Notes
TUTSA governs trade secrets. The Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 134A) is the primary statute. It broadly defines trade secrets and allows injunctions, damages, and attorney’s fees for willful misappropriation.
Overly broad NDAs can be challenged. Texas courts apply the “blue pencil” doctrine and can reform — or void — NDAs that are unreasonably broad in scope, duration, or geographic reach. Be specific about what information is protected.
Non-solicitation agreements are common. Texas permits NDA + non-solicitation combinations but requires they be ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement and limited to what is reasonable.
Non-competes are allowed but scrutinized. Unlike California, Texas allows non-competes — but they must be reasonable in time, geography, and scope under Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 15.50. Standalone NDAs do not face these restrictions.
DTSA applies. The federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. § 1836) applies in Texas for interstate trade secrets. Include the DTSA immunity notice in any NDA signed after May 11, 2016.
Consideration required. Texas courts look carefully at whether the Receiving Party received adequate consideration. For employees, continued employment at-will may not be sufficient alone; for contractors, the contract itself typically satisfies this requirement.
Mutual Texas NDA Template
Both parties share and receive confidential information. Recommended for business partnerships, joint ventures, and negotiations where both sides have something to protect.
Mutual NDA
MUTUAL NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
(Texas — Governed by the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (TUTSA) and applicable federal law)
This Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [DATE] by and between:
[PARTY A FULL LEGAL NAME], a [individual/entity type] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS] ("Party A");
and
[PARTY B FULL LEGAL NAME], a [individual/entity type] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS] ("Party B").
Party A and Party B are each referred to as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties."
1. PURPOSE
The Parties wish to explore a potential business relationship or engagement (the "Purpose") and, in connection therewith, may disclose to each other certain confidential and proprietary information.
2. DEFINITION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
"Confidential Information" means any non-public information disclosed by either Party (the "Disclosing Party") to the other Party (the "Receiving Party"), whether disclosed orally, in writing, electronically, or by any other means, that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given the nature of the information and circumstances of disclosure. Confidential Information includes but is not limited to: trade secrets, business plans, financial data, technical data, software, customer lists, pricing information, marketing strategies, and proprietary processes.
Confidential Information does NOT include information that:
(a) is or becomes publicly known through no breach of this Agreement;
(b) was rightfully known to the Receiving Party before disclosure;
(c) is rightfully obtained from a third party without restriction;
(d) is independently developed without use of Confidential Information; or
(e) is required to be disclosed by law or court order, provided prior written notice is given where permitted.
3. OBLIGATIONS OF RECEIVING PARTY
Each Receiving Party agrees to: (a) hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence using at least the same care it uses for its own confidential information (but no less than reasonable care); (b) not disclose it to any third party without prior written consent; (c) use it solely for the Purpose; and (d) limit access to those with a need to know who are bound by equivalent confidentiality obligations.
4. TRADE SECRET PROTECTIONS
This Agreement is supplemented by the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (TUTSA, Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 134A.001 et seq.). The Parties also acknowledge that the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. § 1836) may apply. DTSA NOTICE: Federal law provides immunity from liability for disclosure of a trade secret made in confidence to a government official or attorney for reporting a suspected law violation. See 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b).
5. TERM AND SURVIVAL
This Agreement is effective for [TERM, e.g., TWO (2) YEARS] from the date first written above. Confidentiality obligations survive termination for [SURVIVAL, e.g., THREE (3) YEARS] from date of initial disclosure. Trade secret obligations survive as long as the information retains trade secret status under applicable law.
6. RETURN OR DESTRUCTION OF MATERIALS
Upon request, the Receiving Party shall promptly return or certifiably destroy all Confidential Information and derivatives, and certify such destruction in writing.
7. NO LICENSE OR ASSIGNMENT
Nothing in this Agreement grants any license, rights, or ownership interest in either Party's Confidential Information or intellectual property.
8. REMEDIES
The Parties acknowledge that breach may cause irreparable harm not adequately compensated by money damages. The Disclosing Party is entitled to seek injunctive or equitable relief without the requirement of posting bond, in addition to all other available remedies.
9. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of laws principles. The Parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of state and federal courts located in Travis County, Texas.
10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties concerning confidentiality and supersedes all prior discussions on this subject. Amendments must be in writing signed by both Parties.
11. COUNTERPARTS; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts. Electronic signatures are valid.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
[PARTY A FULL LEGAL NAME]
Signature: _______________________
Name: ___________________________
Title: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
[PARTY B FULL LEGAL NAME]
Signature: _______________________
Name: ___________________________
Title: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
One-Way Texas NDA Template
Only one party discloses confidential information. Common when a company shares proprietary information with a contractor, vendor, or prospective hire. The disclosing party retains all protections.
One-Way NDA
ONE-WAY NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
(Texas — Governed by the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (TUTSA) and applicable federal law)
This Non-Disclosure Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [DATE] by and between:
[DISCLOSING PARTY FULL LEGAL NAME], a [individual/entity type] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS] ("Disclosing Party");
and
[RECEIVING PARTY FULL LEGAL NAME], a [individual/entity type] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS] ("Receiving Party").
1. PURPOSE
Disclosing Party intends to share certain confidential and proprietary information with Receiving Party for the purpose of [DESCRIBE PURPOSE, e.g., "evaluating a potential business engagement"] (the "Purpose").
2. DEFINITION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
"Confidential Information" means any non-public information disclosed by Disclosing Party to Receiving Party in connection with the Purpose, including but not limited to: [LIST SPECIFIC CATEGORIES, e.g., financial projections, client lists, technical specifications, pricing, business strategies, and proprietary processes]. Exclusions apply for information that is publicly known, previously known to Receiving Party, independently developed, obtained lawfully from a third party, or required to be disclosed by law.
3. RECEIVING PARTY OBLIGATIONS
Receiving Party shall: (a) keep all Confidential Information strictly confidential; (b) not disclose it to any third party without prior written consent; (c) use it solely for the Purpose; (d) apply at least reasonable care to protect it; and (e) promptly notify Disclosing Party of any known or suspected unauthorized disclosure.
4. TRADE SECRET PROTECTIONS
This Agreement supplements the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (TUTSA, Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 134A.001 et seq.) and the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. § 1836). DTSA IMMUNITY NOTICE: An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for disclosure of a trade secret in confidence to a government official or attorney for reporting a suspected law violation. See 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b).
5. TERM AND SURVIVAL
This Agreement is effective for [TERM, e.g., TWO (2) YEARS]. Confidentiality obligations survive termination for [SURVIVAL, e.g., THREE (3) YEARS] from date of disclosure. Trade secret protections survive indefinitely.
6. RETURN OF MATERIALS
Upon written request, Receiving Party shall promptly return or certifiably destroy all Confidential Information and any copies, derivatives, or summaries thereof.
7. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
Receiving Party acknowledges that breach may cause irreparable harm, and that Disclosing Party is entitled to seek injunctive or equitable relief in addition to other remedies.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by Texas law. Disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Travis County, Texas.
9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This is the complete agreement between the Parties regarding confidentiality of the disclosed information.
DISCLOSING PARTY: [FULL LEGAL NAME]
Signature: _______________________
Name: ___________________________
Title: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
RECEIVING PARTY: [FULL LEGAL NAME]
Signature: _______________________
Name: ___________________________
Title: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Texas NDA — Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions about NDA enforceability, duration, and Texas trade secret law.
Is an NDA enforceable in Texas?
Yes. NDAs are enforceable in Texas when they protect legitimate confidential information, are reasonable in scope, and are supported by valid consideration. The Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (TUTSA) provides statutory remedies including injunctions and damages for trade secret misappropriation. Texas courts will reform — but not void — slightly overbroad NDAs under the blue pencil doctrine.
How long does a Texas NDA last?
Texas NDAs typically run 2–5 years for general business confidential information. Trade secrets can be protected indefinitely as long as they retain their secret status. Texas courts scrutinize indefinite confidentiality terms applied to non-secret information and may decline to enforce them. The industry standard for TX freelancers and consultants is a 2–3 year term.
What makes a Texas NDA unenforceable?
A Texas NDA can be unenforceable if: (1) it lacks adequate consideration, (2) the definition of Confidential Information is so broad it covers public knowledge, (3) it restricts use of general skills or publicly available information, (4) it was procured by fraud or duress, or (5) enforcing it would violate Texas public policy. Courts can also reform overbroad NDAs rather than voiding them outright.
Can a Texas NDA include a non-compete?
Yes, but non-competes in Texas must meet strict requirements under Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 15.50: they must be ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement and limited to a reasonable time, geographic area, and scope. Including a non-compete in an NDA makes the combined agreement subject to higher scrutiny. If the non-compete fails, the confidentiality terms typically survive independently.
Does TUTSA preempt my Texas NDA claims?
The Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act preempts conflicting common law claims for trade secret misappropriation (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 134A.007). However, contractual remedies under your NDA are not preempted — TUTSA supplements, rather than replaces, your NDA’s contractual remedies. You can pursue both TUTSA claims and breach-of-contract claims simultaneously.
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