The Harbor · M&K Publishing Company INC

Interim Mutual Confidentiality Agreement

Template version: October 11, 2026 · Not reviewed by legal counsel.

1. Parties and purpose

This mutual confidentiality agreement is between M&K Publishing Company INC, operating The Harbor (Company), and the person or entity identified below (Participant). In consideration of their mutual promises and the opportunity to exchange confidential information, the parties agree to use disclosed information only to evaluate a potential customer engagement, Harbor participation, or professional collaboration (Purpose). The effective date is the date the last party signs. Each signer represents that they have authority to bind the party they identify.

2. What is confidential

Confidential Information means nonpublic information disclosed for the Purpose on or after the effective date, in writing, orally, visually, or electronically, that is identified as confidential or that a reasonable person would understand to be confidential given its nature and the circumstances. It may include unpublished creative work, manuscripts, designs, files, personal project stories, customer information, pricing proposals, business plans, internal frameworks, processes, workflows, and nonpublic systems. The party disclosing information is the Disclosing Party; the party receiving it is the Receiving Party.

3. What is not confidential

These obligations do not apply to information the Receiving Party can show: (a) is or becomes publicly available without a breach of this agreement; (b) was lawfully known to it without a confidentiality duty before disclosure; (c) is independently developed without using the Confidential Information; (d) is lawfully obtained from a third party without a confidentiality duty; or (e) is approved for release in writing by the Disclosing Party.

4. Care and permitted use

Each Receiving Party will use Confidential Information only for the Purpose, protect it with reasonable care and no less than the care it uses for its own similar confidential information, and not disclose it except as permitted here. It may share information only with representatives who need it for the Purpose and are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as protective as these, or by professional duties of confidentiality. The Receiving Party is responsible for its representatives' compliance. It will not use the other party's Confidential Information to reproduce nonpublic systems or methods outside the Purpose. It will promptly notify the Disclosing Party of any unauthorized use or disclosure it becomes aware of and reasonably cooperate to limit harm. Public knowledge, general skills, and independently developed work are not restricted.

5. Required and protected disclosures

A party may disclose information when required by law, subpoena, or court order. To the extent legally permitted, it will promptly notify the Disclosing Party, reasonably cooperate with efforts to obtain protection, and disclose only what is legally required. Nothing in this agreement prohibits reporting suspected violations of law to government agencies, communicating with an attorney, participating in investigations, or making disclosures protected by law; no prior authorization or notice to Company is required for legally protected reports.

6. Trade-secret immunity notice

Under 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b), an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under federal or state trade-secret law for a trade-secret disclosure made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, solely to report or investigate a suspected violation of law; or made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding if filed under seal. An individual suing for retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the individual's attorney and use it in the proceeding if documents containing it are filed under seal and it is not disclosed except by court order. These protections apply to individuals including employees, contractors, and consultants as provided by law.

7. Ownership and no commitment

Each party retains ownership of its existing work and Confidential Information. Disclosure grants no ownership, license, publishing rights, or other intellectual-property rights except the limited use necessary for the Purpose. Neither party is required to buy, sell, hire, join, pay, or proceed with a relationship. This agreement does not establish employment, a partnership, exclusivity, a noncompete, or ownership of future collaborative work. Service terms, permission to publish a headshot or biography, and ownership or licensing of future work require separate agreement. Information is provided for evaluation without a warranty of accuracy or completeness, and neither party is required to disclose any particular information.

8. Duration and return

Either party may end further disclosures by written notice. Unless replaced by a later signed agreement, disclosures under this agreement may occur for one year after the effective date. Confidentiality and limited-use obligations for each disclosure survive for two years after that disclosure. For information qualifying as a trade secret under applicable law, those obligations continue for as long as it qualifies as a trade secret. On written request, the Receiving Party will return or destroy Confidential Information within 30 days and confirm completion, except for copies required by law or ordinary inaccessible backups retained under normal procedures. Retained copies remain protected and may not be used except for lawful retention.

9. Law, remedies, and administration

Florida law governs this agreement, without regard to conflict-of-law principles; applicable federal law also applies. Either party may seek remedies available under law, including requesting injunctive relief where appropriate; no relief is automatic or guaranteed. No exclusive venue is selected by this template. Notices should be sent to the contacts below. Changes must be in writing and signed by both parties. This agreement states the parties' entire confidentiality understanding for the Purpose, without replacing a separate existing signed agreement unless expressly agreed in writing. If a provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to the extent permitted by law. Counterparts and electronic signatures may be used where permitted by applicable law.

Parties and signatures

The parties agree to the terms above. Each should retain the complete signed agreement.

M&K Publishing Company INC

Authorized signer: ____________________

Title / capacity: ____________________

Notice email: ____________________

Address: ____________________

____________________________

Signature: ____________________

Date: ____________________

Participant legal name / entity: ____________________