| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: When asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement: Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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| | Aurora Humarán (X) 
Argentina
Local time: 12:02
English to Spanish
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Why? Because I sign it and... period. No feelings whatsoever.
Au
| | | | megane_wang
Spain
Local time: 17:02
Member (2007)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Same as Au... Why feel anything?
My General Conditions attached to any quote and contract also include non-disclosure conditions and I don't expect them to "feel" anything. Just agree on them and stick to them
Ruth @ MW
| | | | | Sometimes it's more than an NDA... | Jul 27, 2007 |
...and contains clauses on responsibilities, transfer of responsibility in case something goes really wrong and someone suffers damages using the product, etc. And that is the part that provokes some feelings! 
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Rebecca Garber
Local time: 11:02
Member (2005)
German to English
+ ...
| why the emotional reaction? | Jul 27, 2007 |
I did have a long discussion with one client because my husband works in a similar field, so I consult with him on vocabulary and mathematical formulae. We worked out the boundaries of what non-disclosure meant in that case.
Otherwise, my father worked for a defense contractor. He built planes. I never knew more than that growing up, nor did I need to.
My daughter knows I translate technical documents. She's fine with a vague genre description: a patent, an operating man... See more I did have a long discussion with one client because my husband works in a similar field, so I consult with him on vocabulary and mathematical formulae. We worked out the boundaries of what non-disclosure meant in that case.
Otherwise, my father worked for a defense contractor. He built planes. I never knew more than that growing up, nor did I need to.
My daughter knows I translate technical documents. She's fine with a vague genre description: a patent, an operating manual, a contract. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jocelyne S
France
Local time: 17:02
French to English
+ ...
| I'd be curious to hear | Jul 27, 2007 |
I'd be curious to hear from those who chose that they feel uneasy after signing an NDA: why?
I'd also be curious to hear from those who refuse to sign them altogether: why? And do you not loose clients?
Like others, I experience no particular emotion when signing NDAs (ok, I admit that the first few times I sort of felt special and anticipated--usually in vain--the juicy details of some great scandal or scoop, but now I'm fairly blasé about the whole thing and usually ... See more I'd be curious to hear from those who chose that they feel uneasy after signing an NDA: why?
I'd also be curious to hear from those who refuse to sign them altogether: why? And do you not loose clients?
Like others, I experience no particular emotion when signing NDAs (ok, I admit that the first few times I sort of felt special and anticipated--usually in vain--the juicy details of some great scandal or scoop, but now I'm fairly blasé about the whole thing and usually just read them and sign when asked).
Best,
Jocelyne ▲ Collapse
| | | | Steven Capsuto
United States
Local time: 11:02
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Like any other contract... | Jul 27, 2007 |
If the terms are acceptable, I sign it. If they're not, I don't.
Usually I don't object to straightforward non-disclosure agreements. However, some agreements that agencies send me have unacceptably broad wording in the liability section or the non-compete section.
[Edited at 2007-07-27 14:53]
| | | | | Sign it and feel safe | Jul 27, 2007 |
Yes of course, like others, I don't actually feel any emotions at all, but I take the question to mean feeling comfortable about signing it, which I do.
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| Depends on what it says | Jul 27, 2007 |
I will sign an innocent one, that says something along the lines of "I promise to keep everything a secret", and that is the end of the matter.
What I will not sign - and have been asked to sign once (but refused) - is one of those German-style ones (some lawyers that I translate for produce them for some unfortunate so-and-sos to sign on quite a regular basis) stating that if I inadvertently disclose one word too much (which could theoretically happen when asking a Kudoz question) ... See more I will sign an innocent one, that says something along the lines of "I promise to keep everything a secret", and that is the end of the matter.
What I will not sign - and have been asked to sign once (but refused) - is one of those German-style ones (some lawyers that I translate for produce them for some unfortunate so-and-sos to sign on quite a regular basis) stating that if I inadvertently disclose one word too much (which could theoretically happen when asking a Kudoz question) I will be liable to pay e.g. EUR 20,000 or else go to prison. No, I will not sign those things. Who would?
What I actually find curious is those customers who wish me to swear confidentiality concerning a document they send me to translate which can actually be downloaded from the Internet.
Astrid ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Exactly my point | Jul 27, 2007 |
I was curious about feelings, yes, because those contracts make me feel safe as long as they deal with confidentiality issues and whatever clause that may be attached to it does not engage one into doing "the impossible".
In my experience, I have been asked to sign contracts of that sort, and believe me, I have felt uneasy about them.
Thank you all for your participation.
| | | | Steven Capsuto
United States
Local time: 11:02
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Confidential translations of public documents | Jul 27, 2007 |
Astrid Elke Johnson wrote:
What I actually find curious is those customers who wish me to swear confidentiality concerning a document they send me to translate which can actually be downloaded from the Internet.
Astrid
What's confidential in that case isn't the information in the document but rather the fact that it's being translated, and who requested the translation.
This could reveal that a particular company is planning to expand its business into a different geographic region or a different industry, or is planning to sue another company, etc.
[Edited at 2007-07-27 16:26]
| | | | Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 09:02
English to Spanish
+ ...
In memoriam | No written agreements | Jul 27, 2007 |
My clients give me confidential work of all kinds with no written agreements.
I guess they trust me. Their trust is not misplaced, and their material is always under my exclusive control with good security.
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Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 09:02
Dutch to English
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| Part of professional ethics | Jul 27, 2007 |
Confidentiality/non-disclosure is part of the code of ethics of any translators' organization. I have no problem signing them.
| | | | | An ethical issue | Jul 28, 2007 |
Tina Vonhof wrote:
Confidentiality/non-disclosure is part of the code of ethics of any translators' organization. I have no problem signing them.
There should be no problem signing NDAs. Any occupation has a code of ethics that must be complied with. In addition, the Costa Rican Act on Official Translations and Interpretations expressly provides for such confidentiality.
In my quotes I refer to said clause of the law and offer to sign an NDA.
| | | | | Sign if acceptable | Jul 28, 2007 |
Steven Capsuto wrote:
If the terms are acceptable, I sign it. If they're not, I don't.
Usually I don't object to straightforward non-disclosure agreements. However, some agreements that agencies send me have unacceptably broad wording in the liability section or the non-compete section.
[Edited at 2007-07-27 14:53]
I completely agree!
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