Consultant acknowledges that, in connection with performance of the Services, Consultant will acquire, be exposed and have access to, nonpublic material, data and information of the Company and its affiliates that is confidential, proprietary and/or a trade secret (the “ Confidential Information ”). At all times, both during and after the Consulting Period, Consultant shall keep and retain in confidence and shall not disclose to any person or use for Consultant’s own purposes, any of the Confidential Information. At the request of the Company, and - in any event at the end of the Consulting Period (as defined below) - Consultant shall promptly deliver to the Company all tangible materials that embody any Confidential Information or that were created by reference to any Confidential Information, including any reports, analyses, documentation, records, listings, notes, data, sketches, drawings, memoranda, computer files, emails, communications, models, accounts, reference materials, samples, machine-readable media and equipment. Any trade secrets of the Company and its affiliates shall be entitled to all of the protections and benefits under the North Carolina Trade Secrets Protection Act, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-152 et seq . and any other applicable law.