This article posted to our partner site Mondaq.com expands on confidentiality agreements, standstill agreements and letters of intent as they are used during mergers and acquisitions.

In recent years, confidentiality agreements have expanded to include expansive definitions of the information they pertain to, as well as the rights and obligations of the parties. In the context of mergers, it often restricts the buyer from using the disclosed information for anything other than evaluating the possible acquisition. Restrictions on uses of the information and the categories of people to whom the information may be disclosed must be clear. Lawyers and accountants are often involved.