Tell HN: Beware excessively broad NDAs for interviews

2 points by epicureanideal ↗ HN
Recently as part of an interview process I was presented with what I believe is an excessively broad NDA. I think the contracts are getting out of hand and it's time to push back and say no. And this is just for an interview, not an IP Assignment Agreement as part of joining a company.

""" In connection with a proposed business relationship, [Company] has allowed you access, or may allow you access, to business, technical or other information, materials and/or ideas (“Proprietary Information,” which term shall include, without limitation, anything you learn or discover as a result of exposure to or analysis of any Proprietary Information). """

Again, for emphasis:

“Proprietary Information,” which term shall include, without limitation, anything you learn or discover as a result of exposure to or analysis of any Proprietary Information

Obviously this is a ridiculous example, but if they showed me a new programming language during the interview, what, I can never use that programming language? This language is too broad.

Also:

"You will not reverse engineer or attempt to derive the composition or underlying information, structure or ideas of any Proprietary Information."

Doesn't this cover even just thinking about whatever high level ideas they mentioned during the interview process? They call it "reverse engineering", but really it seems to me they're trying to make merely thinking a violation of an agreement.

Even if this language isn't able to be used as broadly as it seems, what, should every interview candidate need to send this NDA to a lawyer to review for $1000?

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