A Software License Agreement governs the use and distribution of software between a licensor and licensee. This playbook examines license grant terms, maintenance obligations, and compliance mechanisms for audit and enforcement.
Why This Matters: Inconsistent or poorly defined payment terms increase financial risk, audit disputes, and potential revenue loss.
Negotiation strategy
If you're the Licensor:
Ensure payment terms are clear and enforceable. Include specific schedules and remedies for late payments to protect revenue streams.
If you're the Licensee:
Negotiate for flexible payment schedules and clear reporting obligations. Ensure audit rights are reasonable and not overly intrusive.
Essential elements
1
Payment Schedule
Defines timing of payments.
2
Royalty Payments
Percentage of sales paid.
3
Audit Rights
Verification of payment accuracy.
Action framework
ACCEPT
Propose edits if payment terms lack clarity or enforceability.
EDIT
Reject clauses that impose unreasonable audit rights or penalties.
ADD
Add clauses for late payment remedies if absent.
PRO TIP
Always verify that payment terms align with business cash flow requirements.
Example clauses
FAVORABLE
Preferred Payment Schedule
"Licensee shall pay Licensor the License Fee in accordance with the following schedule: (i) an initial payment of 25% of the License Fee shall be due upon execution of this Agreement; (ii) 50% of the License Fee shall be due within 30 days after the delivery of the Software; and (iii) the remaining 25% of the License Fee shall be due within 30 days after the Software is operational and accepted by the Licensee."
NEUTRAL
Standard Royalty Payments
"Licensee agrees to pay Licensor a royalty of 5% of the Net Sales of the Licensed Products. Royalty payments shall be made on a quarterly basis, within 30 days following the end of each calendar quarter."
UNFAVORABLE
Late Payment Penalties
"In the event that any payment due under this Agreement is not received by Licensor within 10 days of the due date, Licensee shall pay interest on the overdue amount at a rate of 1.5% per month, compounded monthly. Additionally, if any payment is more than 30 days overdue, Licensor shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Licensee."
Fallbacks
High-Value Contracts
For contracts exceeding $1 million, additional scrutiny is required. Engage senior management for review and consider enhanced audit rights.
International Agreements
Consider currency fluctuations and international tax implications when structuring payment terms.
Start-Up Licensees
Negotiate flexible payment terms to accommodate cash flow constraints typical of start-ups.
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