Whether you are the customer or the service provider in a software delivery project, a clear IT contract is the foundation of a successful project.
We assist you in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating all contracts related to IT projects:
- Development, procurement, and delivery agreements for software, applications, and IT systems
- Consulting and subcontracting agreements
- Service agreements (e.g., maintenance, repair, and technical support)
- Licensing agreements
- We protect your rights in disputes and assist in finding amicable solutions.
IT contracts are a distinct category of agreements
When drafting IT contracts, it is essential to understand what the agreement entails. For instance, is the goal to deliver an IT system based on the client’s specifications? Or is the contract for billing hourly expert services? Who manages the project, and who is responsible for meeting deadlines? What defines an error, and how are errors rectified? Are open source components used and if yes, what licensing terms are appropriate for the project?
These and many other questions, determined by the nature of the project, guide the drafting of IT agreements. Careful contract preparation forces the parties to consider what the project is truly about.ttaneet lukuisia artikkeleita ja kirjoja avoimesta lisensoinnista sekä sen mahdollistavasta liiketoiminnasta.
IT contracts have distinct features
The software industry involves many unique characteristics that must be considered when drafting IT contracts. These include, for example:
- In maintenance, repair, and support agreements, defining the service level (SLA) is particularly important, as service disruptions can lead to significant financial losses.
- In consulting and project agreements, it is crucial to clearly define the responsibilities of the parties and the expected outcomes. Project changes and any associated additional costs should be addressed in the contract upfront.
- In licensing agreements and the management of intellectual property rights, it is especially important to ensure clarity on who holds ownership and usage rights to the software. The contract should also address any restrictions on usage rights and conditions for further development.
- When using open-source software (OSS), it is important to select licenses that suit your operations and to establish an internal open-source policy that standardizes procedures.
An experienced IT lawyer helps identify risks and prepare for them with the right contract terms. The result is a contract that forms the foundation for smooth, fair, and mutually beneficial collaboration between the parties.
Our services
Examples of our IT contract services:
- We participate in IT procurements from the very beginning if needed, supporting either the customer or the provider in negotiations.
- We assist in negotiating next steps for projects that have encountered difficulties.
- We draft new delivery or purchase agreements and update existing contract templates to better align with business requirements.
- We create contracts based on the IT2022 General Terms and Conditions, widely used as a standard in the IT industry.
- We also offer expedited contract reviews, where we assess the content of agreements proposed by your contracting partner. In these reviews, we highlight issues such as non-compete clauses, liability provisions, and potential internal inconsistencies within the contract.
