Delaware Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, also known as Delaware PISA, is a legal document designed to protect a company's intellectual property (IP) rights by outlining the obligations and responsibilities of employees or contractors regarding the disclosure and use of proprietary information and inventions. Delaware PISA is a crucial agreement that ensures the safeguarding of a company's trade secrets, software codes, patents, customer data, business strategies, and other valuable information that gives the company a competitive edge. It establishes a confidential relationship between the company and the individual signing the agreement, typically an employee or contractor. This agreement prohibits individuals from disclosing or using any proprietary information or inventions during or after their employment or contract period without the explicit consent of the company. Through the agreement, the company asserts its ownership rights over the information created or discovered by the employee or contractor during their association with the company. In addition to providing protection, Delaware PISA also sets forth the obligations of the employee or contractor to promptly report any inventions, discoveries, or creations made during their employment or contract term. This ensures that the company has a comprehensive understanding of the IP landscape within the organization and can appropriately claim ownership or take necessary steps to protect such inventions. Delaware PISA may encompass various provisions such as: 1. Confidentiality: This provision clearly defines the scope of confidential information and requires the employee or contractor to maintain the information's secrecy during and after their engagement with the company. 2. Non-Disclosure: It restricts the employee or contractor from disclosing sensitive information to any third party without the written consent of the company. This provision may clearly define what information falls under proprietary information. 3. Non-Competition: Some Delaware PISA agreements may include a non-compete clause, which limits the individual's ability to work for a competitor or establish a competing business during and after their employment or contract period. 4. Assignment of Inventions: This provision specifies that any inventions, discoveries, or creations made by the employee or contractor are automatically owned by the company and must be assigned to the company promptly. 5. Exclusions: The agreement may include certain exclusions which outline information that is not considered proprietary or inventions that are not subject to automatic assignment to the company. It's important to note that Delaware PISA agreements can vary depending on the specific requirements and circumstances of each company. Different types of Delaware Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreements may exist to cater to industry-specific needs or to address specific aspects such as research and development, software development, or manufacturing processes. To ensure comprehensive protection of proprietary information and inventions, it is advisable for companies to enlist the services of legal professionals experienced in intellectual property law while drafting and implementing Delaware PISA agreements.