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<b>Clause & Effect</b>Enforcement of Contestant Confidentiality Agreements

BY Stan Soocher
September 12, 2003

With the increase in 'Survivor'-type reality TV shows ' and competition between program producers ' has come the need for greater protection of production secrets. Applicants and contestants for such reality programs are often asked to sign confidentiality agreements to prevent trade secrets from being divulged. But how binding is a confidentiality agreement if a contestant accuses a producer of manipulating a reality show's outcome?

A confidentiality agreement ' one that includes life story rights ' for the reality show 'Survivor' states:

I understand any appearance I may make on the Series is strictly for the purpose of participating in the Series as a contestant. Except as specifically provided herein or as otherwise authorized by Producer and/or CBS, I will not myself, and I will not authorize others to, publicize, advertise or promote my appearance on the Series, receive or generate any monetary advantage from my appearance on the Series, or use or disclose to any party any information or trade secrets obtained or learned as a result of my participation in the Series, including without limitation any information concerning or relating to the Series, the contestants, the events contained in the Series or the outcome of the Series, for a period from the date of this agreement until three (3) years after the initial broadcast of the last episode of the Series. Without limiting the foregoing, I acknowledge that the initial broadcast of the episodes in which I may participate will occur, if at all, after the contest is completed and that any information revealed or disclosed prior to broadcast will cause irreparable harm to Producer and CBS. In that connection, I specifically agree that any information regarding the elimination of contestants and the selection of any winner is to be held in strict confidence by me and cannot be disclosed by me to any third parties. ' I agree that disclosure by me in violation of the foregoing shall constitute and be treated as a material breach of this agreement which will cause irreparable harm to Producer and/or CBS and will cause substantial damage in excess of $5,000,000, entitling Producer to seek, among other things, (a) injunctive relief, without posting any bond, to prevent and/or cure any breach of threatened breach of this paragraph by me, (b) return or recovery of the value of any prize received or to be received in connection with the Series, (c) recovery or disgorgement of the monies or other consideration received in connection with such disclosure, if any, and (d) recovery of Producer's attorneys' fees incurred to enforce this paragraph.

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