definiens: means any information, data, or know - how which the disclosing party treats confidentially and identifies as confidential or which the recipient knows or should have reason to believe is so treated . [COMPANY] and ASTRA shall not ( and shall ensure that its AFFILIATES and subdistributors do not ) use or reveal or disclose to THIRD PARTIES any confidential information received from the other party without first obtaining the written consent of the disclosing party, except as may be otherwise provided herein, or as may be required for purposes or investigating, developing, manufacturing or marlteting PRODUCT or for securing essential or desirable authorizations, privileges or rights from governmental agencies or to carry out any litigation concerning PRODUCT . This confidentiality obligation shall not apply to such information which is or becomes a matter of public knowledge, or is already in the possession of the receiving party, or is J : Il'UBUC\MC3\OIS4396.20 -27 - disclosed to the receiving parry by a HURD PARTY having the right to do so, or is subsequently and independently developed by employees of the receiving party or AFFILIATES thereof who had no knowledge of the confidential information disclosed, or is required by law to be disclosed . The parties shall take reasonable measures to assure that no unauthorized use or disclosure is made by others to whom access to such information is granted . The obligations of confidentiality under this Section shall remain in effect until the later offive ( 5 ) years after the expiration of the term of this AGREEMENT or fifteen ( IS ) years from the Effective Date