51Ƶ

Software License Contract Template for United States

A Software License Contract is a legally binding agreement governed by U.S. law that establishes the terms and conditions under which software can be used by a licensee. This document outlines usage rights, restrictions, payment terms, intellectual property protections, and compliance requirements. It incorporates relevant federal and state legislation, including the Copyright Act and Digital Millennium Copyright Act, while addressing data privacy and security concerns specific to the U.S. market.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Get template free

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your docs

4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

What is a Software License Contract?

The Software License Contract serves as the primary legal framework for software distribution and usage in the United States. This document is essential when a software owner wishes to grant usage rights while maintaining ownership and control over their intellectual property. It addresses key aspects such as scope of use, payment terms, warranties, and support obligations, while ensuring compliance with U.S. federal and state regulations. The contract is particularly crucial in today's digital economy where software licensing represents a significant portion of technology transactions.

What sections should be included in a Software License Contract?

1. Parties: Identification of licensor and licensee with full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Context of the agreement and brief description of the software being licensed

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement including Software, Documentation, Intellectual Property Rights, etc.

4. License Grant: Scope of the license, including usage rights and restrictions

5. Payment Terms: License fees, payment schedule, and related financial terms

6. Intellectual Property Rights: Ownership and protection of IP rights in the software

7. Term and Termination: Duration of license and conditions for termination

8. Warranties and Disclaimers: Standard warranties and limitations

What sections are optional to include in a Software License Contract?

1. Maintenance and Support: Terms for ongoing support and updates - include when ongoing support is part of the agreement

2. Service Level Agreement: Performance metrics and availability guarantees - include for cloud-based or hosted software

3. Data Protection: Privacy and data handling requirements - include when personal data is processed

4. Source Code Escrow: Terms for source code safekeeping - include for business-critical software

What schedules should be included in a Software License Contract?

1. Software Description: Detailed technical specifications of the licensed software

2. License Fees Schedule: Detailed breakdown of pricing and payment terms

3. Service Level Agreement: Detailed performance metrics and support standards

4. Acceptable Use Policy: Detailed terms of permitted and prohibited use

5. Data Processing Agreement: Detailed data protection and privacy terms - include when personal data is processed

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Genie AI

Cost

Free to use

Find the exact document you need

Small Business Non Compete Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement restricting former employees from competing with a small business, subject to state-specific enforcement.

Download

Enterprise Software Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement establishing terms for enterprise software licensing, implementation, and usage between software providers and business customers.

Download

Software License Contract

A U.S.-governed agreement defining terms and conditions for software usage, including rights, restrictions, and compliance requirements.

Download
See more related templates

ұԾ’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security:

You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it