Non-Disclosure Agreement

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

Effective Date: Upon submission of materials

1. PARTIES

This Non-Disclosure Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between Black Stone Publishers ("Company") and the individual or entity submitting materials ("Author").

2. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" includes but is not limited to:

• Manuscripts, outlines, and written materials
• Creative concepts, ideas, and storylines
• Character development and plot details
• Publishing strategies and marketing plans
• Any other proprietary information shared during our collaboration

3. CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS

Black Stone Publishers agrees to:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all submitted materials
• Use information solely for evaluation and potential publishing purposes
• Not disclose any Confidential Information to third parties without written consent
• Implement reasonable security measures to protect submitted materials

4. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION

The Author retains all intellectual property rights in their submitted materials. This Agreement does not grant Black Stone Publishers any ownership rights in the Author's work, except as may be specifically agreed upon in a separate publishing agreement.

5. PERMITTED DISCLOSURES

This Agreement does not restrict disclosure of information that:

• Was known to the Company prior to disclosure by the Author
• Becomes publicly available through no breach of this Agreement
• Is independently developed without use of Confidential Information
• Is required to be disclosed by law or court order

6. RETURN OF MATERIALS

Upon request or termination of discussions, Black Stone Publishers will return or destroy all physical and electronic copies of Confidential Information, except as required for legal compliance.

7. DURATION

This Agreement remains in effect for a period of five (5) years from the date of first disclosure, or until the information becomes publicly available through no fault of the Company.

8. REMEDIES

The Author acknowledges that any breach of this Agreement may cause irreparable harm, and therefore the Author shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief and other equitable remedies in addition to monetary damages.

9. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with applicable state laws. Any disputes arising under this Agreement shall be resolved through binding arbitration.

10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding confidentiality and supersedes all prior understandings or agreements relating to such subject matter.