April 21, 2025

Both private and in-house counsel will appreciate this blog on AIRBUS’ NDA evolution.

Throughout my career, I’ve reviewed and negotiated several NDAs, particularly for start-ups eager to protect their IP but cautious when negotiating with larger, more experienced business partners.

On the corporate side, I’ve also seen legal and procurement teams use overly complex and restrictive NDAs—sometimes out of habit, sometimes as a legal security blanket, and sometimes simply because that’s the language they’ve “always used”, or it was embedded in their procurement system. However, overly rigid NDAs can deter potential innovation partners.

While an NDA may seem like just another contract, it’s often the foundation of a business relationship and deserves thoughtful drafting.