Judge Rejects Tiger Woods’ Ex-Girlfriend’s Attempt to Nullify Nondisclosure Agreement
Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend lost her attempt to have a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) thrown out in court, with a Florida judge ruling that an unlawful eviction dispute between the two parties must be decided in arbitration, which is required by the nondisclosure agreement both parties signed. In the NDA, his now ex-girlfriend had agreed to arbitrate all disputes with Woods out of court, “as consideration for the opportunity to continue to” spend time with him and “be privy to certain private and confidential aspects” of his personal life.
Business litigation lawyers for the ex-girlfriend questioned the authenticity of the NDA, suggesting that their client did “not recall signing” it, but also acknowledged that she actually did sign the NDA. They also claimed the NDA and its forced arbitration clause was unenforceable under a federal statute that bars arbitration when there are allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment. The judge, however, did not agree, dismissing both claims and stating that the ex-girlfriend “does not deny that the signature on the NDA is hers or that she agreed to arbitrate.” The ruling continued that she has “made vague and threadbare references to behaviors or actions she contends constitute sexual harassment” and that her claims were “implausibly pled.”
What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
A nondisclosure agreement (NDA) is a legal contract that prohibits one or more parties from disclosing confidential or proprietary information to others. NDAs are often used in business and employment relationships to protect trade secrets, confidential information, and other sensitive data. In this case, it was used in a personal relationship. However, because of Tiger Woods’ global notoriety, it is not out of the ordinary for a public figure such as him to require a potential love interest to sign one.
An NDA typically outlines the specific information that is considered confidential, the duration of the agreement, the circumstances under which the information may be disclosed, and the consequences of violating the agreement. The agreement may also include provisions for injunctive relief or monetary damages in the event of a breach.
NDAs can be mutual or one-sided, and they can be unilateral (where only one party is bound by the agreement) or bilateral (where both parties are bound by the agreement). They can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and employment relationships. Before signing an NDA, it is important to consult with an experienced business litigation attorney.
