DuPont Code of Conduct

OUR COMPANY

Confidential Information and Intellectual Property

We protect the intellectual property (IP) and confidential information of DuPont and our business partners to maintain our competitive edge and ensure compliance with the law.

Intellectual Property

DuPont’s IP includes inventions, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights. Some IP is publicly available, such as logos, graphics, and published written work. Other types, like trade secrets, are confidential and must be safeguarded to protect their value.

Types of Intellectual Property

Patents:

Protect inventions by consulting Legal about filing patents when appropriate.

Use trademarks, logos, and brand materials properly, and follow brand guidelines. Report any misuse or suspected counterfeiting to management, the DuPont Legal Trademark & Copyright Group or the Brand Protection Team.

These are confidential innovations or information that give DuPont a competitive edge, such as formulas, processes, designs, and supplier details.

Inventions

An invention is any new and useful product, method, or process. Protecting inventions may involve filing patents, keeping them as trade secrets, or publishing to prevent others from patenting the idea. Consult Legal to determine the best course of action. 

Confidential Information

Confidential information includes sensitive business, technical, or personal data that must be protected. Examples are: 

Financial data, customer details, and business strategies.

Research findings, product designs, and supplier information.

Future plans like acquisitions, divestitures, or new product launches.​

Pricing strategies and detailed pricing models.

Manufacturing processes and proprietary formulas.

Sales forecasts and market analysis reports.

Q&A

I want to share a customer success story that includes details about a DuPont product. Can I post it on LinkedIn? 

Not without approval. Even if it seems harmless, your post may include confidential details or intellectual property. Talk to your manager or Legal before sharing anything publicly. 

DuPont’s Information Classification

DuPont classifies information into four levels:

  • Special Control: Highly sensitive, such as research or business strategies
  • Confidential: For need-to-know use only, including proprietary financial and technical information
  • Official Use Only: Internal non-public information, like general business communications
  • Public: External materials, such as press releases and annual reports

Protecting Confidential Information and IP

  • Share only when you are authorized to do so and a confidentiality agreement is in place.
  • Mark all shared information as “Confidential.”
  • Limit disclosures to what is necessary for business purposes.
  • Report trademark or brand abuse or counterfeit products to your manager, the Corporate Brand Protection Center or the Legal Trademark and Copyright Group

Departing the Company

When leaving DuPont, employees must:

  • Return all company property, including devices and documents.
  • Not take or share copies of confidential information, trade secrets, or anything marked “Special Control” or “Internal Use Only.”

Prior to an employee’s departure, their line manager should oversee the process and assure all DuPont-issued assets, devices, and documents are retrieved.

Learn More

Company Resources

Recordkeeping and Reports