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Computer Software Lease Agreement

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Computer Software Lease with License Agreement

Agreement made on the day of , 20, between of , referred to herein as Lessor, and , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Customer.

Whereas, Lessor owns a proprietary computer software system known as (the Software).

Whereas, Customer desires to lease and to use the Software and Lessor desires to make the Software available to Customer in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement.

For and in consideration of Ten Dollars ($10.00), and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

I. Grant of License and Lease

A. Lessor grants Customer a nontransferable, nonexclusive, limited license and lease to use the Software which is described in Exhibit A, attached to and made a part of this agreement, subject to the conditions of this agreement.

B. Legal title to the Software and Software documentation provided under this agreement shall remain in Lessor as its sole property subject to Customer's rights specified in this agreement.

II. Use of System

A. The Parties agree that the Software is proprietary to Lessor. Customer agrees that the Software and all related data, whether oral or written, and furnished under this agreement constitute a valuable asset and trade secret of Lessor and are provided for Customer's exclusive use for the purposes of this agreement and will be held in confidence.

B. Customer agrees not to duplicate or disclose any information provided relative to the Software in whole or in part, or for the use of others, and to protect such information in the same fashion as it protects its own proprietary or confidential information. Customer will not remove any designation mark from any supplied materials that identifies such materials as belonging to or developed by Lessor.

C. Customer will use the Software only for its internal data processing purpose and will not use the Software in any manner for or by a third party. In no event shall Customer use the Software in a third-party computer services bureau or time sharing operation.

D. Customer is not restricted from providing copies of the user documentation to other Customer internal parties for whom Customer may be providing data processing services.

III. Term

A. The term of this lease is a period commencing on the effective date and continuing for successive periods subject to the following Paragraph B, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section X.

B. To renew this lease for a successive period, Customer shall:

IV. Time and Place of Installation and Acceptance

A. Lessor shall deliver the Software at the address set forth in Paragraph D of this section, within days after Customer's purchase order and deposit check are received by Lessor.

B. Lessor shall install the Software at the address set forth in Paragraph D, within days after delivering the software, but in no event later than

C. The Software shall be deemed accepted by Customer on successful completion of Software checkout by Lessor at the time of installation. Such checkout may be witnessed by Customer.

D. The Software will be installed solely on one computer as follows:

 Brand Name:

 Model No.:

 Serial No.:

 Location:

E. Customer may transfer the Software to another computer system or move the computer system specified above to another physical location provided prior written approval is obtained from Lessor. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by Lessor.

F. If Customer or its affiliated companies lease or purchase a larger (brand name) (BN) model that is part of the BN family and compatible with it, Lessor, at no additional cost, will supply the software enhancements or changes necessary to enable the Software to function normally, provided Customer (a) has obtained software maintenance coverage from Lessor; and (b) pays Lessor the difference between the sale price of the replaced software and the then-current price for an upgraded software package for the larger BN model.

V. Terms of Payment

A. Customer shall pay Lessor % of the Software price at the signing of the purchase order. The balance will be paid in accordance with the Payment Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B and made a part of this agreement.

B. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are exclusive of state and local use, sale, and similar taxes. Any applicable taxes will be paid by Customer, which taxes will appear as separate additional items on Lessor's invoices unless Customer provides Lessor with a valid tax exemption certificate acceptable to the taxing authorities.

C. All payments shall be due within days after receipt of Lessor's invoice. Any payment received after its due date shall bear an interest rate of % per month, or the legal limit, whichever is less, for each month or fraction of a month beyond the payment due date.

D. The Software shall be returned to Lessor if the required fees are not paid in full.

E. A cancellation service fee will be charged for all cancelled orders equal to % of the total value of the order. Lessor shall have the right to invoice Customer for any services provided at no charge under this agreement in the event of such cancellation.

VI. Warranty

A. Lessor warrants that the Software at the time of installation will perform in accordance with the current user's manual.

B. Lessor's liability is limited as follows:

1. Over a period of months after installation of the Software, Lessor, at its expense, will correct any errors in the Software attributable solely to Lessor.

2. Lessor shall be relieved of any and all obligations with respect to Paragraph A of this Section for any portions of the Software that are revised, changed, modified, or maintained by anyone other than Lessor. Customer may modify the Software, but Lessor shall not be responsible for compatibility of such modified Software with equipment, other equipment, other programs, future program releases or test and verification routines, or engineering change orders.

C. Lessor warrants that the Software will function on all supported models of the , including new models that are delivered by the manufacturer and completely compatible with it, provided, however, that Customer has elected Software maintenance pursuant to Section VIII and complied with Section IV.

D. Lessor shall indemnify and hold customer harmless from any liability suffered by Customer arising out of any defects in the rights of Lessor to the Software at the time of delivery, provided that, if any such claim is asserted against Customer, Lessor shall be notified of the same by Customer within days of receipt by Customer of knowledge of such asserted claim, and Lessor consequently shall be given the right and option to conduct and bear the cost of any defense against such claim up to the amounts paid by Customer.

E. LESSOR MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

VII. Limitation of Liability

EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION SIX, CUSTOMER AGREES THE MAXIMUM LIABILITY ASSUMED BY LESSOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF THE CLAIM OR THE FORM OF ACTION OR SUIT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, OR TORT, SHALL BE LIMITED TO CORRECTION OR REPLACEMENT COSTS, OR $, WHICHEVER IS LESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL LESSOR BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF LESSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. CUSTOMER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY OR OTHERWISE HOLD LESSOR HARMLESS FROM ALL CLAIMS OF THIRD PARTIES THAT MAY ARISE FROM CUSTOMER'S USE OF THE ITEMS DELIVERED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. CUSTOMER'S REMEDIES IN THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXCLUSIVE.

VIII. Optional Software Maintenance Service

Customer shall have the option to obtain Software maintenance services on an annual basis from Lessor, on payment of the fee described in the then-current Lessor price list, which service:

A. Becomes effective on the date of Software acceptance as defined in Section IV;

B. Provides Customer the same warranties set forth in Section VI;

C. Includes automatic updates of all corrections developed or implemented by Lessor to modules of the software provided during the annual term of each maintenance agreement;

D. Includes reasonable telephone consulting (up to hours per month) and manual updates for sets of user manuals. Telephone consulting over the minimum will be billed at Lessor's then-current standard time and material rates;

E. Maintenance agreement must be renewed annually to maintain continuity of corrections. If maintenance is allowed to lapse, the renewal, if desired by Customer, must be paid for the lapsed period forward.

IX. Sublicense Provisions

If Lessor provides Customer any proprietary software on a sublicense basis:

A. Customer agrees to be bound by the provisions of such sublicense, which sublicense is attached to and made a part of this agreement as Exhibit C; and

B. Lessor assumes no responsibility or obligation for the operation, maintenance, upgrade, or performance of such sublicensed software.

X. Termination

A. Customer may terminate this lease by providing written notice of termination days prior to the expiration of the initial one-year term or any successive one-year period extension.

B. On termination of this agreement, Customer shall promptly return all of Lessor’s proprietary data, and shall erase from all computer storage and computer storage devices any image or copies of the software.

XI. Default

A. Either party has the right to terminate this agreement and any license granted on written notice to the other party if such other party (1) materially fails to perform any of its obligations under this agreement, which failure has not been corrected within days after receipt of written notice of the failure; or (2) takes action to liquidate and dissolve, becomes insolvent, suffers an appointment of a receiver, assigns all or part of its assets for the benefit of creditors, or is involved in any proceeding (voluntary or involuntary) under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws.

B. On any such termination by Lessor, Customer agrees to return immediately to Lessor all software programs, related documentation, and all copies of such programs and documentation in the possession of Customer or any of Customer's agents or other parties to whom Customer may have provided such copies, in the form provided by Lessor or as modified by Customer and to make no further use of the software.

C. On any such termination by Customer, Customer shall be granted a perpetual, restricted license to the software under the conditions and restrictions stated in this agreement without any further obligation to Lessor.

D. Any termination under this section shall not affect either party's ability to pursue any other remedy existing at law or in equity for such default.

XII. Technological Advances

A. Customer agrees that Lessor shall have the right to free and unencumbered use, sale, or license of any technological advancements developed or acquired by Lessor in the performance of any services rendered by Lessor to the Customer in connection with this agreement.

B. Lessor agrees that Customer will have an unencumbered right to use improvements made on the software when fully paid by Customer within the Customer's corporate structure. Charges for Lessor support of such improvements, if any, will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

XIII. Governing Law

This agreement shall be construed and the legal relation between the parties determined in accordance with the laws of the State of .

XIV. Waiver

The waiver, modification, or failure to insist by Lessor on any conditions shall not void, waive, or modify any of the other terms or conditions nor be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of Lessor's right to performance of any such term or terms.

XV. Assignment

This agreement shall be binding on and shall inure solely to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, and permitted assignees, and not for the benefit of any other person or legal entity. Customer, however, shall not assign this agreement or any rights or obligations under the agreement without first obtaining the prior written consent of Lessor. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

XVI. Relationship of Parties

Each party is an independent contractor and not an agent or partner of, or joint venturer with, the other party for any purpose, and neither party by virtue of this agreement shall have any right, power, or authority to act or create any obligation, expressed or implied, on behalf of the other party.

XVII. Attorney’s Fees

Should either party be required to seek the services of an attorney to enforce its rights under this agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees, legal costs, and other collection fees and costs incurred by that party in connection with the suit.

XVIII. Delays

Neither party shall be liable or deemed in default for any delay or failure in performance of this agreement resulting directly or indirectly from any cause completely, solely, and exclusively beyond the control of that party.

XIX. Entire Agreement

The parties acknowledge that this agreement has been read and understood, represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties, and supersedes all prior agreements, communications, or understandings, whether oral or written.

XX. Notices

All notices required by or related to this agreement shall be in writing and sent to the parties at the following addresses by any means that will require a written acknowledgment of receipt by the receiving party:

If to Lessor:

If to Customer:

XI. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

By

LESSOR (Name and Office in Corporation)

Customer Signature:

Name:

Title:

(Attach Exhibits)

Enter text✕

What a Computer Software Lease Agreement Is

A Computer Software Lease Agreement is a contract that grants a lessee the right to use software for a defined period while the lessor retains ownership. It sets out licensing terms, permitted uses, fees, maintenance and support obligations, updates, warranties, indemnities, data handling, and termination conditions. These agreements often distinguish between on-premises licenses, hosted software (SaaS), and embedded software, and they define who controls intellectual property, who is responsible for security, and how disputes will be resolved.

Why this agreement matters for software providers and users

A clear Computer Software Lease Agreement reduces operational and legal risk by documenting usage rights, payment terms, maintenance responsibilities, and IP allocation. It supports enforceability under ESIGN and UETA for electronic signatures when the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and record retention.

Why this agreement matters for software providers and users

Who typically prepares or signs a Computer Software Lease Agreement

Common parties include software vendors, managed service providers, corporate procurement teams, resellers, and IT customers.

  • Software vendors and licensors — legal and licensing teams draft standard lease terms and manage IP protections.
  • Corporate buyers and IT departments — review permitted use, SLA commitments, and data security obligations.
  • Resellers and channel partners — negotiate sublicense rights, territory limits, and revenue sharing.

Signatories should ensure the named signers have authority to bind their organization and that any consumer-facing disclosures meet ESIGN consumer-consent requirements.

Primary signer roles

Authorized Officer

Chief Contracting Officers, CFOs, or other executive officers who can bind the company should sign on behalf of legal entities. Confirm authorization via corporate resolution or signature authority matrix to avoid later disputes.

Technical Contact

IT directors or product managers often sign technical exhibits or acceptance certificates that confirm integration, support levels, and delivery milestones; they do not usually bind payment or IP clauses unless expressly authorized.

Essential clauses in a professional Computer Software Lease Agreement

Include specific contract provisions that allocate risk, define usage, and set measurable service expectations so both parties understand ongoing obligations and remedies.

License Grant

Specify the scope (user count, seats, concurrent access), usage restrictions, sublicensing rights, and whether the license is exclusive, nonexclusive, perpetual, or term-based.

Fees and Payment

State amounts, billing frequency, invoicing procedures, late fees, and tax responsibilities. Include milestone payments if activation or customization milestones apply.

Support and Maintenance

Define service levels, response times, patch policies, update cadence, and whether upgrades are included or charged separately.

Data Security and Privacy

Detail data ownership, processing roles (controller/processor), security controls, breach notification timelines, and requirements to comply with HIPAA or other industry rules when applicable.

Intellectual Property

Preserve the licensor's ownership of source code and inventions, specify permitted derivative works, and address developer contributions and third-party components.

Termination and Remedies

List termination for convenience and cause, cure periods, post-termination data return/destruction, and dispute resolution procedures including injunctive relief if needed.

Step-by-step: complete and execute the Computer Software Lease Agreement

Follow this sequence to assemble, review, sign, and store the executed agreement with attention to approvals, signatures, and delivery receipts.

  • 01
    Draft: Prepare base terms and attach exhibits (SLA, pricing, scope) for review.
  • 02
    Internal Review: Have legal, procurement, and IT approve technical and risk clauses.
  • 03
    Signatures: Collect authorized signatures and dates from both parties.
  • 04
    Distribution: Send fully executed copies to all stakeholders and store in the contract repository.

Configure a digital workflow for this agreement

A consistent digital workflow reduces errors and creates an audit trail; configure fields and authentication before sending.

Field Configuration
Signature Block Require full name and date fields for each signer
Initials Add initials field on each page or exhibit where acknowledged
Conditional Exhibit Show pricing exhibit only when a paid option is selected
Authentication Use email link and optional SMS code for signer verification

Typical digital signing flow for software lease contracts

These lifecycle steps describe the end-to-end process when using an e-signature platform and digital contract repository.

  • Upload Document: Upload final PDF or DOCX with exhibits into the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, initials, date, and conditional fields where required.
  • Invite Signers: Send to designated signers in the specified signing order or via a shared link.
  • Capture Audit Trail: Platform records timestamps, IP, and authentication events for enforceability.

Technical considerations for e-signing and storage

Confirm platform capabilities and integrations before sending high-value agreements.

  • Authentication Options: Email link, SMS one-time code, or advanced ID verification depending on risk level
  • Integration: Connect to CRM, ERP, or contract repository (Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace)
  • Security: TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest; audit trail and tamper-evident storage

Choose a platform that supports required compliance (ESIGN, UETA) and, when needed, HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11 controls.

eSignature vendor pricing and capability snapshot for this agreement

Compare starting price and common feature availability; signNow is listed first per vendor-comparison convention.

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 Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Risks and legal consequences of incorrect or incomplete agreements

Unenforceable Terms: Poorly defined license scope
Data Breach Liability: Missing security commitments
Tax Exposure: Incorrect payment reporting
IP Disputes: Ambiguous ownership language
Regulatory Noncompliance: Failure to include HIPAA or other required addenda
Execution Defects: Missing signatures or improper signer authority

Common drafting and execution pitfalls to avoid

  • Vague license scope that omits user counts or access methods.
  • Failing to include data processing terms when handling regulated data.
  • Using inconsistent party names between the contract and vendor records.
  • Omitting renewal, termination notice, or automatic renewal mechanics.

Practical tips for accurate, enforceable agreements

Adopt consistent templates, require internal approvals, and keep a controlled version history to reduce negotiation time and legal review cost.

Use clear definitions
Define terms such as 'Software', 'Hosted Service', and 'Support' to avoid ambiguity across exhibits and statements of work.
Attach exhibits
Include SLA, pricing schedule, and data processing addendum as numbered exhibits for clarity.
Verify signer authority
Collect corporate resolutions or POA where appropriate to prove signatory authority during disputes.
Preserve audit trail
Use an e-signature platform that records timestamps, IP addresses, and authentication events for evidentiary support.

Key timing considerations and deadlines

Certain dates and windows affect enforceability, tax reporting, and data retention; track them in the contract management system.

Effective Date:

Set by the Effective Date field; triggers obligations and payment schedules

Invoice Due Dates:

Follow the payment terms (e.g., Net 30) to avoid late fees

Renewal Notice:

Specify notice period (commonly 30–90 days) for termination or non-renewal

Data Return Window:

Define timeline to return or destroy data after termination

Audit Rights Notice:

State required advance notice period for audits (often 10–30 days)

Real-world examples of software lease usage

These short case summaries show how different organizations structure lease agreements for particular needs.

Optica Ventures

Optica used a timed SaaS lease for tenant accounting software to avoid capital expense

  • The company limited seats and tied fees to active users
  • The agreement included a data return exhibit and quarterly support SLAs to align vendor incentives and speed deployment.

Fertility Centers of Illinois

A healthcare provider added a HIPAA BAA and stricter breach-notification terms

  • The vendor agreed to annual SOC 2 reports
  • The contract required six-year retention of patient access logs and contained specific remediation timelines.

Frequently asked questions about Computer Software Lease Agreements

Answers to common questions about signing, enforceability, and recordkeeping for software lease contracts.


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