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The Intellectual Property Agreement For Employees is a crucial document for businesses operating in Nigeria who employ individuals capable of creating intellectual property during their employment. This agreement is necessary when employees may develop, design, or create any form of intellectual property including software, inventions, creative works, or confidential information in the course of their duties. It ensures compliance with Nigerian intellectual property laws, including the Patents and Designs Act, Copyright Act, and Trade Marks Act, while clearly establishing the company's ownership rights over employee-created IP. The agreement is particularly important given Nigeria's growing technology and innovation sectors, and the need to protect company assets in an increasingly competitive global market.

1. Parties: Identifies the employer and employee with their full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Establishes the context of the employment relationship and the purpose of the IP agreement

3. Definitions: Defines key terms including Intellectual Property Rights, Works, Inventions, Confidential Information, and other relevant terms

4. Scope of Employment: Outlines the employee's role and responsibilities relating to IP creation

5. Ownership of Intellectual Property: Establishes the employer's ownership of IP created during employment

6. Assignment of Rights: Contains the formal assignment of all IP rights from employee to employer

7. Confidential Information: Defines and protects company confidential information and trade secrets

8. Employee Obligations: Details the employee's responsibilities regarding IP protection and disclosure

9. Moral Rights: Addresses the waiver or assertion of moral rights in created works

10. Prior Inventions: Handles IP owned by the employee before employment

11. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation: Restricts competitive activities and client/employee solicitation

12. Duration and Survival: Specifies terms that continue after employment ends

13. Return of Materials: Requires return of all IP-related materials upon employment termination

14. Governing Law: Specifies Nigerian law as governing law and jurisdiction

15. General Provisions: Includes standard clauses like severability, entire agreement, and amendments