What must partners refrain from in order to uphold their duty of loyalty?

To uphold their duty of loyalty, partners must refrain from taking personal business opportunities. This duty, integral to partnership law, requires that partners act in the best interests of the partnership rather than pursuing personal gain at the expense of the collective. When a partner identifies a business opportunity that could be beneficial to the partnership, they are obligated to present that opportunity to the partnership rather than capitalizing on it for personal benefit. This principle aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that all partners act in a trustworthy and cooperative manner.

In contrast, the other choices, such as disclosing sensitive information, while relevant to the overall concept of fiduciary duties, pertain more specifically to the duty of confidentiality rather than loyalty. Participating in partnership decisions is a necessary aspect of partnership functioning; to uphold their duties, partners must be involved in decision-making processes. Making independent investments isn't inherently a violation of the duty of loyalty unless it competes with the partnership's interests or if it involves taking advantage of opportunities that rightfully belong to the partnership. Therefore, refraining from taking personal business opportunities is critical for maintaining a partner's loyalty and commitment to the partnership.