It is common these days to ask people to enter into Confidentiality Agreements as part of their Contract of Employment or as part of a Joint Venture. Such agreements are not new. Robert Boyle (1627-91) was a scientist & founding fellow of the Royal Society. He was rich enough to employ people to do these for him. Even then science had commercial value. Here is an example of the confidentiality clause his experimenters were required to sign.

"Whereas I __________________ being now in ye service of Mr.Boyle he is pleas'd to imploy me about ye making of divers Experiments that he would not have to be divulg'd; I do hereby solemnly and faithfully promise & engage myself that I wil be true to ye trust repos'd by my sayd master in me, that I will not knowingly discover to any person whatsoever, whether directly or indirectly, any process, medicine, or other Experiment, which he shal injoin me to keep secret & not impart; without his consent first obtain'd to communicate it. And this I promise in ye faith of a Christian, witnes my hand this _________________ day of _____________"

Harris + Harris wouldn't advise you to rely on this one. The principles remain much the same, but effective protection of your information requires a combination of legal, technical and practical measures.

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