Hi. Does anyone know anything about NDA's? Is it normal for a company to ask you to sign one before they've even spoken to you? �
Replies16
- HI Shaun,Yes, it's normal for some of my new clients to send me a NDA before delivering me information to work with; sometimes is because the content can be made public yet.I remember years ago when working in an agency, one designer published a snippet of the work he was working on for a celebrity brand on Dribble; the image got leaked in the gossip blogs and he was fired for breaking the NDA.
- Hi all. Thank you so much for the replies and advice. Was really helpful. Just to let you all know, all was well in the end. :)
- Coming from the big brand side where we send NDA's as standard to all parties we're interested in working with, even just to tell you a little more about a project - it's very much standard practice. It's just to protect the sharing of confidential information, launch of new product, athletes etc. I often find companies sign them instantly as they have more experience/understanding of them and individuals often feel hesistant to sign but please just ask all the questions so you fully understand what you're signing. Whomever sends it to you should be very happy to take time out to make sure you're comfortable. Same goes for any work contracts, they should be open for conversation so you fully understand before you sign. They're to protect you and your work too.
- I've had to sign NDAs before interviews in order for the employer/collaborator to share confidential info about the project, I think it is normal. It can be trickier if you are doing work in a very similar field in your current gig as in the next one.
- Yep, very normal. Obviously read them before signing but usually it's just to make sure you don't tell anyone about a project.
- Yes, very standard.Do read them obviously as each one is different. Usual practice is to send before briefing someone.
- Hi Shaun, I've signed NDAs before talking to companies before, although it's pretty rare these days in my experience. Tamryn
- Yes it is pretty standard practice. I've been on both sides.Do read and contest if you find any part you find contentios or unclear though.
- I suppose it depends both from the industry and company you are working iwth or for. For me is something pretty normal if working with an agency or direct client. with a studio depends form the project. Most of the time you ll need to sign it both to receive specific infos or files. Read it well and if you do not agree on something point it out.
- Yep. They are a growing plague surrounding commercial creativity. Just watch out for anything around liability — some are mad and ask you to agree to cover infinate costs should anything go wrong no matter who's at fault. You should either refuse that, or cap it to your insurance level.
- Yes and I always asked my staff to sign them.
- It’s normal, they’re put in place to prevent you discussing the project or sharing material externally among others or other agencies for competitive reaons.If the NDA is in place for pitch work and you like the pitch work very rarely would you be able to share it either because the work might be a campaign that isn’t out or in development. It could 3 years to put that work in your portfolio.As mentioned do read them, I can not echo enough how many times I have been in trouble over breaking NDA for moonlighting =P
- @Samuel Ryan Hi Samuel. Thank you so much for that in-depth advice. There's plenty to chew on there, so thanks so much for taking the time out to respond.
- It wouldn't be unusual. Just make sure you read the small print
- @Roland Lindner Thanks Roland. Fairly new to the world of NDA's so that was much appreciated.
- Hi @Shaun SpeightWell, that's the whole point of an NDA and it is common to ask for a signature ahead of a meeting or a conversation. This allows them to then speak freely and openly about their clients and ongoing projects.
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