Know-how agreement
A know-how agreement is a contract under which one party shares unpatented technical knowledge, methods or expertise with another, usually under a licence. It typically covers scope of use, confidentiality, fees or royalties, ownership of improvements, duration and what happens to the information at the end.
How BC law treats it
BC has no general writing requirement for commercial contracts, so a know-how agreement can be binding without one, although a written agreement is strongly advisable. Know-how is protected by contract and the action for breach of confidence rather than registered intellectual property.
What it means for your business
A BC business licensing its know-how should define the information precisely and require strict confidentiality.
Risks and common mistakes
Sharing know-how before a confidentiality agreement is signed can make it very hard to prevent later use.
For the full explanation, see our entry on Know-how licence.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
