Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA where adopted, provided the four legal validity elements are satisfied: intent, consent, attribution, and record retention.

Is notarization required for validity?

Generally no for standard commercial content agreements, but specific instruments (deeds, some powers of attorney, or recordable documents) may require notarization or witnesses under state law; verify per state.

How do I revoke or cancel a signed agreement?

Revocation depends on contract terms and governing law; include termination and cure provisions in the agreement. Mutual rescission requires signed agreement or court order when parties disagree.

What makes an electronic signature defensible?

A defensible e-signature includes documented signer intent and consent, reliable attribution (email, SMS, or stronger authentication), a timestamped audit trail, and retained records that can be reproduced.

How should executed agreements be stored?

Store signed PDFs plus audit certificates in a secure system with access controls and backups; ensure retention policies meet IRS, HIPAA, and corporate recordkeeping requirements.

Does the platform need a BAA for healthcare?

Yes. When handling protected health information, execute a Business Associate Agreement and confirm the vendor meets HIPAA safeguards and can sign a BAA.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Content Agreement

Business Content Agreement

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

BUSINESS CONTENT AGREEMENT

This Business Content Agreement (the Agreement) is made effective as of by and between the parties identified below.

Company Name: Company Address: Content Provider Name: Content Provider Address:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Company desires to engage Content Provider to create, develop and deliver content materials for use in Company’s marketing, digital, social, editorial and commercial activities; and

WHEREAS, Content Provider has the skill, experience, and personnel to perform the services described in this Agreement and represents that all content delivered will be original, non-infringing, and suitable for the purposes described herein; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

SCOPE OF WORK

Content Provider shall perform the services and deliver the deliverables described below in accordance with the specifications, schedule and acceptance criteria set forth in this Agreement.

Scope of Work (describe services and deliverables): Deliverables (list items and formats): Acceptance Criteria:

PAYMENT TERMS

Company shall pay Content Provider the fees and reimbursements set forth below in consideration for the services and deliverables. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

Total Fee: Payment Schedule / Milestones: Late Payment Fee: Invoicing Address / Contact for Payments:

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on and shall terminate on unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon written notice to the other party not less than days prior to the effective date of termination. Either party may terminate for material breach if the breach is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party acknowledges that it may receive Confidential Information of the other party. Confidential Information means non-public information disclosed in connection with this Agreement that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential. The receiving party shall (a) hold Confidential Information in strict confidence, (b) not disclose it to any third party except as permitted herein, and (c) use it solely to perform under this Agreement. Confidentiality obligations shall survive termination for a period of three (3) years, except that trade secrets shall be protected for as long as they qualify as trade secrets under applicable law.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Unless otherwise agreed in writing below, Content Provider grants Company a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display and perform the delivered materials for Company’s business purposes. The parties may elect assignment where noted below.

Work for Hire (select if applicable):

Treat deliverables as work made for hire with assignment of copyrights to Company upon payment.

Alternative License Terms (if not work for hire):

REPRESENTATIONS, INDEMNIFICATION & LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Each party represents that it has the authority to enter into this Agreement. Content Provider represents that the deliverables will be original and will not infringe third-party rights. Content Provider shall defend, indemnify and hold Company harmless from any third-party claim arising out of an allegation that the deliverables infringe any intellectual property right or violate applicable law, provided Company gives prompt written notice and cooperates in the defense. EXCEPT FOR LIABILITY ARISING FROM WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR A BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY OR IP ASSIGNMENT, NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, AND EACH PARTY'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY COMPANY TO CONTENT PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DURING THE PRIOR TWELVE (12) MONTHS.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state specified below without regard to conflict of law principles.

Governing State:

MISCELLANEOUS

Entire Agreement: This Agreement, including all exhibits and attachments referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties. Notices must be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth above.

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Waiver of any breach shall not be deemed waiver of any other breach.

Company Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Content Provider Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Business Content Agreement Covers

The Business Content Agreement is a formal contract that governs creation, use, licensing, and distribution of written or digital business materials between two or more parties. It clarifies ownership, permitted uses, confidentiality, warranties, indemnities, and payment or consideration where applicable. Typical use cases include content creation engagements, licensing of marketing or product materials, and agency or consultant deliverables. This document can be executed electronically under federal and state e-signature laws when parties meet intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements.

Why a Clear Agreement Matters for Content Work

A clear Business Content Agreement reduces disputes about ownership and usage rights, documents payment and deliverables, supports regulatory compliance, and enables enforceable electronic execution under ESIGN and state e-signature laws when the four legal validity elements are present.

Who Commonly Uses a Business Content Agreement

Organizations and individuals who commission, produce, or distribute commercial content use this agreement to set expectations, ownership, and legal protections before work begins.

Marketing agencies producing deliverables for corporate clients and campaign work.
In-house content and product teams licensing materials internally or to external partners.
Freelance writers, designers, and consultants providing creative services and deliverables.

Confirm signatory authority and governing law up front to reduce execution delays and limit post-contract disputes.

Who Typically Reviews and Signs

General Counsel

Legal teams review ownership, indemnity, warranty, and confidentiality clauses, confirm limitations on liability, and recommend governing law, dispute resolution, and record retention to align contract terms with corporate risk policies.

Procurement Officer

Procurement or contracting officers negotiate payment, delivery milestones, acceptance criteria, and insurance requirements, verify that scope exhibits are complete, and confirm the designated signer has proper delegation.

Step-by-step: Prepare, Review, and Execute

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and execute a Business Content Agreement accurately and efficiently.

01

Prepare Parties: Identify full legal names, addresses, and authorized signers before drafting.
02

Define Content: Describe scope, deliverables, formats, and acceptance criteria in the exhibits.
03

Specify Rights: Choose ownership vs license, territory, duration, and permitted uses.
04

Sign and Retain: Obtain valid signatures, confirm consent to e-signing, and store executed copies.

Typical Electronic Execution Workflow

A standard e-execution flow includes upload, field placement, signer routing, authentication, signing, and automated retention of an audit trail and completed copy.

Upload Document: Upload the final draft as PDF or DOCX to the e-sign platform.
Place Fields: Insert signature, date, and initial fields and required text inputs.
Add Signers: Enter signer names and emails or generate signing links.
Authenticate & Sign: Signers authenticate, review, and apply electronic signatures; platform records audit trail.

Core Elements to Include in the Agreement

A professional Business Content Agreement includes clearly drafted sections that allocate rights, responsibilities, and remedies; include exhibits and execution mechanics to ensure enforceability.

Parties

Identify each party with legal entity name, state of formation or residence, contact information, and the individual authorized to sign on the party's behalf.

Scope

Define deliverables, formats, timelines, milestones, and acceptance criteria; attach a statement of work or exhibit to avoid ambiguity about performance.

Ownership and License

State whether the content is assigned outright or licensed, specify license type, scope, exclusivity, territory, duration, and any retained rights.

Compensation

Specify fees, payment schedule, invoicing procedures, and any withholding or tax reporting obligations tied to payments.

Confidentiality

Describe confidential information, permitted disclosures, security obligations, and duration of confidentiality protections.

Termination and Warranties

Include termination triggers, effect of termination on rights, basic warranties regarding originality and noninfringement, and any indemnity obligations.

Saving, Exporting, and Supporting Documents

Decide how executed copies and supporting files will be stored and which file formats to use for archiving and distribution.

Save as PDF

Export the fully executed agreement as a PDF/A to preserve content, layout, and an embedded audit trail for long-term retention and record requests.

Store Original Files

Keep the source DOCX or editable files along with exhibits to enable future amendments and to verify original content if required.

Include Attachments

Attach statements of work, proofs of concept, or deliverable samples as exhibits and reference them clearly in the main agreement.

Export Audit Trail

Preserve the signing certificate or completion report showing signer identity, timestamps, IP addresses, and authentication method.

Technical Options for eSigning and Distribution

Choose a platform that supports required file formats, authentication, and retention features to meet your compliance needs.

Supported File Types: PDF, DOCX, and common formats
Authentication Options: Email, SMS, KBA, or advanced signer verification
Integrations: CRM, ERP, cloud storage connectors

Common Workflow Settings to Configure

Configure routing, required fields, and signer authentication before sending to avoid rework and incomplete executions.

Field	Configuration
Signature Fields	Required for every signer; include date fields
Authentication	Choose email, SMS, or knowledge-based verification
Routing Order	Sequential or parallel signer flow
Retention Settings	Enable audit trail export and archival

eSignature Vendor Pricing Snapshot for Content Agreements

Compare basic pricing and core capabilities relevant to executing Business Content Agreements. signNow is listed first per vendor comparison conventions.

	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 trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Typical Timelines and Processing Expectations

Establish clear internal deadlines for review, signature, and file retention to avoid missed obligations and reporting delays.

Review Turnaround:

Allow at least 3–5 business days for internal legal review on standard agreements.

Signer Response Window:

Specify a signing period, commonly 7–14 days, to keep timelines predictable.

Amendment Processing:

Allow 3–7 days for negotiation and documentation of amendments or exhibits.

Record Export:

Export audit trail and signed copies immediately after execution for archival.

Retention Review:

Schedule periodic reviews to purge or extend retention based on legal holds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using informal or incomplete names that do not match formation documents or IDs, which can void enforcement or complicate payments.
Failing to attach exhibits or statements of work, leaving scope and acceptance undefined and increasing dispute risk.
Assuming e-signature consent without documenting consumer disclosures when consumer-facing rights or government benefits apply.
Neglecting to verify signer authority, which can lead to challenges over capacity or ratification later.

Consequences of Errors or Omitted Terms

Ownership Dispute: Litigation risk if assignment or license is unclear

Copyright Exposure: Risk of infringement claims without proper warranties

Payment Delay: Incomplete invoicing details can defer payment

Invalid Signature: E-sign may be contested without proof of intent

Regulatory Noncompliance: HIPAA or tax issues when protections are missing

Contract Voidance: Material defects can render obligations unenforceable

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Adopt consistent procedures so agreements are complete, auditable, and stored correctly; these practices reduce legal exposure and administrative friction.

Use a Standardized Template and Checklist

Maintain an approved template and a pre-send checklist that covers parties, exhibits, signature blocks, payment terms, and retention to avoid inconsistent or missing clauses.

Confirm Signatory Authority Before Sending

Verify that the named signer has delegated authority to execute the agreement to prevent later ratification disputes or claims of unauthorized signature.

Document E-Sign Consent When Required

For consumer-facing arrangements, save the ESIGN consumer disclosure and the method used to confirm the signer could access electronic records and withdrew consent.

Preserve the Audit Trail and Version History

Retain the platform-generated certificate, field-level timestamps, and any prior drafts referenced during negotiations to support enforceability and post-execution inquiries.

Real-world Examples of Use

The following short cases show how organizations implement Business Content Agreements with e-signature workflows in operational settings.

Optica Ventures, LLC

Optica standardized templates to speed client onboarding and reduce email exchange.

Team-wide template use reduced turnaround by business days.
The COO reported the interface was simple for staff and clients, improving execution speed while retaining full audit trails and reducing negotiation cycles.

Fertility Centers of Illinois

A medical provider moved consent and vendor content agreements online to centralize records.

HIPAA-compliant workflows protected patient data.
The director noted the platform responsiveness, integrated audit reporting, and documented chain of custody helped meet compliance and operational needs.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about enforceability, notarization, signature validity, storage, and platform compliance when using a Business Content Agreement.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA where adopted, provided the four legal validity elements are satisfied: intent, consent, attribution, and record retention.
Is notarization required for validity?
Generally no for standard commercial content agreements, but specific instruments (deeds, some powers of attorney, or recordable documents) may require notarization or witnesses under state law; verify per state.
How do I revoke or cancel a signed agreement?
Revocation depends on contract terms and governing law; include termination and cure provisions in the agreement. Mutual rescission requires signed agreement or court order when parties disagree.
What makes an electronic signature defensible?
A defensible e-signature includes documented signer intent and consent, reliable attribution (email, SMS, or stronger authentication), a timestamped audit trail, and retained records that can be reproduced.
How should executed agreements be stored?
Store signed PDFs plus audit certificates in a secure system with access controls and backups; ensure retention policies meet IRS, HIPAA, and corporate recordkeeping requirements.
Does the platform need a BAA for healthcare?
Yes. When handling protected health information, execute a Business Associate Agreement and confirm the vendor meets HIPAA safeguards and can sign a BAA.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now