A JDA sets forth terms for collaborative product or technology development, addressing ownership, confidentiality, and IP outcomes. This playbook highlights best practices for defining contributions, milestones, and dispute resolution.
Why This Matters: Clear terms around improvements eliminate disputes over valuable enhancements and ensure continued freedom to operate with essential updates.
Negotiation strategy
If you're the Company A:
Ensure that any improvements you develop are clearly owned by you, and negotiate for broad rights to use and commercialize these improvements without restrictions.
If you're the Company B:
Seek to retain ownership of any improvements you develop and consider offering a limited license to the other party to use these improvements, ensuring it aligns with your business interests.
Essential elements
1
Ownership Rights
Defines who owns improvements.
2
Licensing Terms
Outlines rights to use improvements.
3
Confidentiality Obligations
Protects information on improvements.
Action framework
ACCEPT
Propose edits when ownership or licensing terms are unclear or unfavorable.
EDIT
Reject clauses that limit your ability to use or commercialize your own improvements.
ADD
Add language to clarify joint development rights and responsibilities.
PRO TIP
Always ensure that the terms for improvements align with your long-term business strategy and innovation goals.
Example clauses
FAVORABLE
Clear Ownership Clause
"All improvements developed by a party shall be owned by that party, with full rights to commercialize."
NEUTRAL
Shared Licensing Terms
"Each party grants the other a non-exclusive license to use improvements developed during the term."
UNFAVORABLE
Restrictive Use Clause
"Improvements may only be used with prior written consent from the other party."
Fallbacks
Joint Development Projects
In joint development projects, clearly define each party's contributions and ownership rights to avoid future disputes.
High-Value Innovations
For high-value innovations, consider additional protections such as patents or exclusive licenses to maximize value.
Cross-Border Agreements
In cross-border agreements, ensure compliance with local laws regarding IP ownership and licensing to avoid legal complications.
FEATURED SOLUTIONS
Contract Email Agent
Self-service Al for instant contract review and markups.
Never leave your inbox. Effortless contract markups and summaries—delivered straight to your inbox. No signups, no apps, no plugins, no playbooks, no delays.
Import PDF. Redline on DocJuris. Export to Word. Save a day of work.
Import locked PDFs or Word docs and get work done with our world-class contract editing platform. Track your changes and comments and export seamlessly to MS Word without the headaches of clunky add-ins.
Markup clauses in seconds. See the reasoning, stay in control.
Negotiate with confidence using DocJuris’s AI-powered suggestions. Pick a suggested action to balance or lean specific terms in favor of a party. Or, quickly make a clause mutual or simpler with a single click without the back-and-forth.
Uncover opportunities and risks in your signed contracts.
Turn your contracts into structured insights. With Repository AI, DocJuris analyzes every imported agreement—so you always know what’s expiring, auto-renewing, or exposing risk. Total visibility, zero guesswork.
Unlike complex CLMs with long implementations and steep learning curves, DocJuris is built for speed and simplicity. We integrate with your workflow—whether connecting to a CLM or uploading agreements manually—so you're up and running in days, not months.
WEEK 1
CLM Readiness and Design
Our CX team works with you to understand your contracting challenges, prioritize key workflows, and identify the biggest impact areas. We build a tailored implementation plan that fits your needs.
WEEK 2
Install Module
We connect DocJuris to your contract repositories, set up admin and user accounts, and ensure your environment is ready for success.
WEEK 3
Deliver & Test
Your team builds initial playbooks, reviews existing clause libraries, and trains the DocJuris agent to align with your internal standards and negotiation positions.
WEEK 4
Launch
We support you in rolling out DocJuris to a pilot group or your full organization—with launch materials, training, and hands-on support to drive adoption from day one.
Not another CLM
Tackle everything your team needs using existing IT without expensive consultants, outrageous user licensing fees, or complex coding. DocJuris takes on the heavy lift and delivers your requirements with its people, process, and technology.
See how DocJuris can automate your legal, procurement, and sales operations.
DocJuris is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. We cannot provide any kind of advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendation about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options,selection of forms or strategies.