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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>83234</law_id><section_number>59.1-502.16</section_number><catch_line>Idea or information submission</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="43">Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Formation and Terms</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="a"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> The following rules apply to a submission of an idea or information for the creation, development, or enhancement of computer information which is not made pursuant to an existing agreement requiring the submission: <a id="paragraph-298236" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-502.16/#a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A <span class="dictionary">contract</span> is not formed and is not implied from the mere receipt of an unsolicited submission. <a id="paragraph-298237" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-502.16/#a1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Engaging in a business, trade, or industry that by custom or practice regularly acquires ideas is not in itself an express or implied solicitation of the information. <a id="paragraph-298238" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-502.16/#a2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> If the recipient seasonably notifies the person making the submission that the recipient maintains a procedure to receive and review submissions, a <span class="dictionary">contract</span> is formed only if: <a id="paragraph-298239" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-502.16/#a3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> the submission is made and accepted pursuant to that procedure; or <a id="paragraph-298240" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-502.16/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> the recipient expressly agrees to terms concerning the submission. <a id="paragraph-298241" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-502.16/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="b"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> An agreement to disclose an idea creates a <span class="dictionary">contract</span> enforceable against the receiving <span class="dictionary">party</span> only if the idea as disclosed is confidential, concrete, and novel to the business, trade, or industry or the <span class="dictionary">party</span> receiving the disclosure otherwise expressly agreed. <a id="paragraph-298242" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-502.16/#b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2000, cc. 101, 996.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
