Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures meeting ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA standards are generally enforceable for private contracts, provided the parties consent to electronic records and the record can be retained and reproduced.

Do I need a notary or witnesses?

Most author agreements do not require notarization or witnesses to be valid. Notarization may be useful where assignment of rights or record authentication is desired, but legal requirements vary by state and document type.

How do I ensure copyright is assigned?

Include an explicit written assignment or a clear work-for-hire clause and ensure the signatory has authority to assign rights; consider a notarial acknowledgment for added evidentiary weight in disputes.

What if a signer made an error after signing?

Minor errors often require an amendment or corrected document signed by all parties. For material changes, execute a written amendment referencing the original agreement and obtain fresh signatures.

Are HIPAA or other regulations relevant?

Only if authoring involves protected health information. Include a HIPAA-compliant addendum and a BAA when PHI is handled (45 CFR §164.502 and §164.530).

How long should I keep the executed agreement?

Retain for the active term plus at least three years; for tax or IP matters follow IRS (IRC §6501(a)) and industry retention rules, and extend retention where state or regulatory law requires.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Author Agreement

Business Author Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS AUTHOR AGREEMENT

This Business Author Agreement (Agreement) is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Client Name: with principal address , and Author Name: with principal address .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client operates a business that requires original written materials, content, or other authored works described in this Agreement (the Work); and

WHEREAS, Author has the skill and experience to prepare, develop and deliver the Work and is willing to provide such services to Client upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective rights and obligations with respect to the creation, delivery, ownership and use of the Work.

SCOPE OF WORK

Description of Services

Deliverables shall be delivered in accordance with the schedule set forth below. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Author shall provide up to rounds of revisions at no additional charge. Client shall provide timely review and acceptance within days of delivery.

PAYMENT TERMS

Total Fee Payment Schedule

All payments shall be made in lawful currency of the United States unless otherwise agreed. Client shall pay Author invoices within days of receipt. Late payments shall accrue interest at the rate of compounded monthly, plus reasonable costs of collection.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on Start Date: and shall continue until End Date: , unless sooner terminated as provided herein.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon days' prior written notice. Either party may terminate immediately for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure such breach within 15 days after written notice. Upon termination, Client shall pay Author for all Work performed and approved expenses accrued through the effective date of termination.

CONFIDENTIALITY

"Confidential Information" means all non-public information disclosed by one party to the other, whether marked confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given the nature of the information. Each party shall: (a) hold Confidential Information in strict confidence, (b) not disclose it to third parties except to employees, contractors or advisors who have a need to know and are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as restrictive as those herein, and (c) use Confidential Information solely to perform obligations under this Agreement. Confidentiality obligations survive termination for a period of three (3) years, except with respect to trade secrets, for which obligations survive as long as applicable law protects such information as a trade secret.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND RIGHTS

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Author hereby assigns and conveys to Client all right, title and interest in and to the Work created under this Agreement, including all copyrights and related rights, upon full payment of all amounts due. Author agrees to execute all documents reasonably necessary to effectuate the assignment. If any moral rights cannot be assigned under applicable law, Author hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert such rights to the fullest extent permitted.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties may specify limited licenses or retained rights below:

Additional License or Restrictions (if any)

WARRANTIES; INDEMNIFICATION

Author represents and warrants that the Work shall be original, shall not infringe third-party intellectual property rights, and shall not contain defamatory, obscene or unlawful material. Client represents and warrants that any materials provided to Author do not violate third-party rights. Each party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party from and against any third-party claims resulting from a breach of the foregoing warranties, subject to the indemnified party's obligation to provide prompt written notice and reasonable cooperation in the defense.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Except for each party's indemnification obligations or willful misconduct, neither party shall be liable to the other for consequential, incidental, special, punitive or exemplary damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. The aggregate liability of either party for any claim arising under this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid to Author under this Agreement.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located within that state.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including all exhibits and attachments, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written. Any amendment or modification must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

NOTICES

All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered in person, sent by certified mail (return receipt requested), or by nationally recognized overnight courier to the addresses set forth above or to such other address as either party may specify in writing.

MISCELLANEOUS

The parties are independent contractors. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create a partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship. If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

Client

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Author

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Business Author Agreement Is and When it Applies

A Business Author Agreement is a written contract between a business and an author (individual or contractor) that defines deliverables, deadlines, compensation, intellectual property ownership, license scope, confidentiality, warranties, and termination rights. It memorializes expectations for creative work such as articles, white papers, marketing copy, or copyrighted deliverables and reduces later disputes by clarifying whether rights are assigned, licensed, or shared. In the United States electronic execution is generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and intrastate under UETA where adopted.

Why a Clear Agreement Matters for Businesses and Authors

A precise Business Author Agreement prevents ownership disputes, sets payment and delivery terms, limits liability through warranties and indemnities, and documents agreed usage rights. It makes enforcement predictable, supports tax and accounting treatment, and enables secure electronic signing consistent with ESIGN and UETA frameworks.

Who Typically Uses a Business Author Agreement

Businesses and individuals use this agreement to manage creative work relationships, whether hiring freelance writers, commissioning in-house authors, or licensing content from contributors.

Marketing teams and content managers who commission articles, blogs, and collateral from external authors.
Startups and product teams securing patent or trademark‑adjacent creator deliverables and assigning IP rights.
Freelance writers and contract authors seeking clarity on payment, credit, and reuse rights.

Choosing the right signer and scope reduces later friction; tailor provisions to the relationship type (work-for-hire, exclusive license, nonexclusive license) and jurisdictional nuances.

Core Clauses to Include in a Professional Business Author Agreement

A complete agreement balances business needs and author protections. Key clauses define deliverables, ownership or license, payment schedule, deadlines, confidentiality, warranties, indemnities, termination, and dispute resolution to make expectations enforceable and reduce downstream litigation risk.

Scope of Work

Describe deliverables with specificity (word counts, formats, milestones). Attach exhibits or acceptance criteria to avoid vague obligations and rework disputes.

Ownership / License

State whether the author assigns copyright (work-for-hire) or grants a license, and define exclusivity, permitted uses, sublicensing, and duration of rights granted.

Payment Terms

Specify fees, payment schedule, invoicing procedure, expenses, and whether withholding or backup withholding applies when TIN is missing.

Confidentiality

Define protected information, duration of confidentiality obligations, permitted disclosures, and carve-outs for public domain or independently developed material.

Warranties and Indemnities

Require author warranties of originality, noninfringement, and authority to assign rights; include indemnity for third‑party IP claims and remedial steps.

Termination

Set termination triggers, cure periods, payment on termination, and disposition of unpublished work and licensed materials upon contract end.

How to Complete a Business Author Agreement—Step by Step

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and execute the agreement with clear assignment and payment terms.

01

Prepare draft: Populate scope, deliverables, and payment fields first.
02

Confirm rights: Decide assignment vs license and record the choice.
03

Review legally: Have counsel review IP, indemnity, and tax clauses.
04

Execute electronically: Use ESIGN/UETA-compliant eSignature and retain audit trail.

Customizing an Online Signing Workflow for This Agreement

Configure fields and authentication to match the agreement’s sensitivity and signer roles before sending for signature.

Field	Configuration
Signature Type	Electronic signature with timestamp and IP audit
Authentication	Email link by default; use SMS or knowledge-based auth for higher assurance
Order	Sequential signing for approvals then author signature
Attachments	Include exhibits (SOW, style guide) as locked attachments

Where to Send and How Documents Are Routed

Decide recipient order and method—contract manager, finance for invoices, then author. Configure reminders and final delivery.

To Author: Send signature request and acceptance fields first.
To Finance: Attach invoice field and payment instructions for processing.
To Legal: Route for counsel review before final execution.
Final Delivery: Provide executed copy to all parties with audit trail.

Digital Signing and Format Considerations

Choose a platform that preserves audit trails, supports common file formats, and can meet compliance needs such as HIPAA when applicable.

File Types: PDF and DOCX supported
Integrations: Salesforce, Google Workspace, NetSuite
Security: TLS and AES-256 encryption

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Executing Business Author Agreements

Basic price and capability comparisons to consider when selecting an eSignature provider; signNow is listed first per platform comparison standards.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Agreement Completion

Use plain language, attach exhibits, and confirm signatory authority to reduce downstream disputes and speed approval cycles.

Describe deliverables precisely

Include format, length, milestones, and acceptance criteria so both parties understand completion and reduce revision loops and disagreements.

Specify payment mechanics

State currency, payment method, net terms, and invoicing process; link payments to accepted deliverables to avoid late payments and disputes.

Define rights clearly

Choose assignment or license with territory, duration, and permitted media; robust IP language prevents later reuse conflicts.

Confirm signer authority

Ensure the signer has corporate authority and include title lines for corporate signatories to avoid challenges to enforceability.

Key Risks and Potential Consequences of an Incomplete Agreement

Ownership Dispute: Loss of exclusive rights

Payment Dispute: Delayed or withheld payment

Infringement Claim: Third-party IP liability

Tax Issues: Backup withholding consequences

Contract Voidability: Challenges based on lack of authority

Data Exposure: Breach of confidentiality obligations

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing This Agreement

Using vague deliverable descriptions that lead to disagreements over acceptance and additional unpaid work.
Failing to confirm signatory authority for corporate signees, which can render the agreement unenforceable or require ratification.
Omitting precise payment terms or invoice instructions, which causes delays and creates collection disputes.
Not defining whether rights are assigned or licensed, producing downstream licensing disputes and unexpected reuse limitations.

Real-World Examples of Executing Creative and Contractor Agreements

Two examples illustrating how organizations use eSignatures and clear agreements to finalize author relationships quickly and compliantly.

Optica Ventures

Optica requested a simple contract template for recurring contributor work to streamline onboarding.

The team standardized deliverable and payment terms to reduce back-and-forth.
Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, reported that a consistent template made execution easier for both internal teams and external authors while improving turnaround time and clarity.

Martin Properties

A small property management firm needed signed marketing agreements from freelance writers and photographers.

They moved to online signing to close sign-offs more quickly.
Tim Martin, Founder, said processing and executing documents online kept operations compliant and efficient, enabling mobile signing and reliable recordkeeping.

Key Dates and Timeframes to Track in the Agreement

Record and calendar all contract milestones, payment due dates, and notice windows to avoid breach and preserve rights.

Effective Date:

Start date for obligations and payment triggers

Delivery Deadlines:

Dates or milestones for drafts and final deliverables

Payment Due Dates:

Invoice dates and net payment windows to monitor

Renewal/Notice Window:

Period to provide nonrenewal or termination notice

Record Retention:

When to archive or purge executed files per policy

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Author Agreements

Answers to common execution, signature, and post-signature questions to help practitioners avoid routine mistakes and confirm enforceability.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures meeting ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA standards are generally enforceable for private contracts, provided the parties consent to electronic records and the record can be retained and reproduced.
Do I need a notary or witnesses?
Most author agreements do not require notarization or witnesses to be valid. Notarization may be useful where assignment of rights or record authentication is desired, but legal requirements vary by state and document type.
How do I ensure copyright is assigned?
Include an explicit written assignment or a clear work-for-hire clause and ensure the signatory has authority to assign rights; consider a notarial acknowledgment for added evidentiary weight in disputes.
What if a signer made an error after signing?
Minor errors often require an amendment or corrected document signed by all parties. For material changes, execute a written amendment referencing the original agreement and obtain fresh signatures.
Are HIPAA or other regulations relevant?
Only if authoring involves protected health information. Include a HIPAA-compliant addendum and a BAA when PHI is handled (45 CFR §164.502 and §164.530).
How long should I keep the executed agreement?
Retain for the active term plus at least three years; for tax or IP matters follow IRS (IRC §6501(a)) and industry retention rules, and extend retention where state or regulatory law requires.

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