Proprietary information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Proprietary information" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal, business, or technical contexts to refer to information that is owned by a company or individual and is not publicly available. Example: "The contract includes a clause that protects the proprietary information of both parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Tobias was told that was proprietary information.

The New York Times

"That's proprietary information," a Visa U.S.A. spokeswoman, Rhonda Bentz, said.

The New York Times

For one thing, the Fed has proprietary information about banks.

The New York Times

That was considered proprietary information held by Phoenix Products.

The New York Times

"It'd be inappropriate to discuss proprietary information," a spokesman for Duke, Pete Sheffield, said.

The New York Times

It said it monitored Cafepharma periodically to see if confidential or proprietary information had been posted.

The New York Times

The drug industry regards the details of those arrangements as proprietary information.

The New York Times

He considers them trade secrets, and he tries to protect what he regards as proprietary information.

The New York Times - Sports

A quick check showed that the drive contains a company's proprietary information.

The New York Times - Magazine

What I need you to do is go out and get me edgy, proprietary information".

The New Yorker

"There's nothing in there that appears to be proprietary information," Mr. Fishman continued.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly define what constitutes "proprietary information" in contracts and agreements to avoid ambiguity and ensure legal enforceability.

Common error

Avoid labeling all company information as "proprietary information". Focus on truly confidential data that provides a competitive advantage to maintain credibility and legal standing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proprietary information" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it refers to specific knowledge or data owned by an individual or organization, often relating to business or technology. It generally acts as the object of a verb or preposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proprietary information" is a common noun phrase that describes confidential data owned by an individual or organization. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various formal contexts, including news, science, and business. It's used to assert ownership, control access, and emphasize confidentiality. Alternatives include "confidential data" and "trade secret", each with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, avoid overly broad claims and clearly define what constitutes "proprietary information" to maintain credibility and legal standing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Confidential data

Broader term referring to any data that should be kept secret, without necessarily implying ownership.

Company confidential

Information that is considered confidential within a company.

Trade secret

Refers specifically to confidential information that gives a business a competitive edge.

Secret information

General term for any information kept secret, regardless of ownership or business context.

Commercially sensitive information

Information that could harm a business if disclosed to competitors.

Intellectual property

Encompasses a wider range of creations of the mind, including inventions, designs, and artistic works.

Non-public information

Information not available to the general public, often used in financial or regulatory contexts.

Restricted information

Information access is limited to specific individuals or groups.

Privileged information

Information that is protected by law from being disclosed, often in legal or financial contexts.

Classified data

Data that has been given a security classification to restrict its access.

FAQs

How is "proprietary information" typically used in business contexts?

"Proprietary information" is often used to refer to sensitive data, trade secrets, or other confidential information that gives a company a competitive advantage. Companies take measures to protect it through legal agreements and security protocols.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "proprietary information"?

You can use alternatives like "confidential data", "trade secret", or "intellectual property", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What is the legal significance of classifying something as "proprietary information"?

Classifying information as "proprietary information" allows companies to protect it legally through measures such as non-disclosure agreements and patents. This designation helps prevent unauthorized use or disclosure by employees or third parties.

What is the difference between "proprietary information" and "public information"?

"Proprietary information" is confidential and owned by a specific entity, giving them exclusive rights. "Public information", on the other hand, is freely available to anyone and not subject to any restrictions on use or distribution.