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Software Development Partnership Agreement

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SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT made effective as of the day of , .

BETWEEN:



(“PARTNER 1”)

- and -



(“PARTNER 2”)

RECITALS:

WHEREAS PARTNER 1 and PARTNER 2 wish to enter into a strategic partnership (“Partnership”) to develop, implement, market and maintain a software program, currently titled (the “Software”), which will have applications;

AND WHEREAS the parties will combine their efforts, and each of the parties will contribute monies, knowledge, expertise and equipment to the Partnership;

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties, the parties hereby agree as follows:

Article I – Formation of the Partnership

1.1 Purpose of Partnership. The parties hereby enter into and form the Partnership for the limited purpose and scope set forth in this Agreement, pursuant to the laws of the Province of and the terms of this Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or by other written agreement executed by the parties, neither party shall have the authority to act for or to assume any obligations or responsibilities on behalf of the other party.

1.2 Duration of Partnership. The Partnership shall commence on the date of this Agreement and will continue until , or until terminated as hereinafter provided in this Agreement.

1.3 Purpose of Partnership. The purpose of the Partnership is to develop, implement, market and provide support and maintenance for the Software.

1.4 Contributions of Partners. As of the date of this Agreement, the parties have made the following contributions of capital and assets to the Partnership, and holds the following percentage interest in the Partnership:

Party Contribution % Interest
PARTNER 1
PARTNER 2

1.5 Partnership Management. Both parties shall have equal rights in management of the Partnership, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Both parties shall have authority to bind the Partnership in making contracts, and subject to a limit of $ , to incur debts in the Partnership name or its credit. Debts exceeding $ require the consent of both parties.

1.6 Insurance and Records. The Partners shall be jointly responsible for maintaining complete and accurate records of the Partnership’s business, and for placing and maintaining adequate insurance coverage for the business.

Article II – Development, Marketing & Support of Software

2.1 Development. The parties intend that the Software will be developed in accordance with the milestones set out in the attached Schedule A - Development Milestones, and will perform according to the specifications set out in the attached Schedule B – Functional Specifications. PARTNER 1 will write and prepare the Software and any and all support and/or training materials necessary to market the program.

2.2 Marketing and Sales of Software. Once the Software has been developed, the parties will work together to market and sell the Software, on such terms and for such price as the parties may agree. PARTNER 2 will be primarily responsible for marketing the Software in the geographic territory(ies) set out in Schedule C. PARTNER 1 will make him/herself reasonably available for consultation and demonstration of the Software to prospective customers and distributors, and to answer technical questions regarding the use of the Software.

2.3 Ongoing Support. PARTNER 1 will be responsible for writing any and all updates, changes or modifications to the Software as and when necessary. PARTNER 2 will be responsible for making such updates, changes and modifications available to distributors and end users.

2.4 Obligations of Partners. Each Partner agrees to devote sufficient time, energy and attention to the duties set out in this Agreement in order to complete the Software in a reasonably efficient and expeditious manner. Each Partner agrees to provide prompt, courteous and professional efforts to promote the sale of the Software. Each Partner agrees to refrain from doing any act, or from failing to act in a manner that would hurt, prejudice or impair the sale or development of the Software.

Article III – Ownership of Intellectual Property

3.1 [if joint ownership] The parties will joint retain all right, title and interest in and to the Software, including all modifications, enhancement, modifications, fixes and upgrades thereto and derivative works therefrom, and will jointly apply for and register all applicable trademarks, trade names, service marks and related logos with respect to the Software. Both parties will receive equal credit and attribution for developing and delivering the Software.

3.1 [if NOT joint ownership] will retain all right, title and interest in and to the Software, including all modifications, enhancement, modifications, fixes and upgrades thereto and derivative works therefrom, and will apply for and register all applicable trademarks, trade names, service marks and related logos (“Marks”) with respect to the Software. will license to on a royalty-free, non-exclusive basis the right to use the Marks for the purpose of fulfilling his/her obligations with respect to the Partnership. Both parties will receive equal credit and attribution for developing and delivering the Software.

Article IV – Revenues and Expenses

4.1 Revenues. All revenues collected from sales of the Software, and all capital contributions received from the Partners, shall be deposited in the Partnership’s operating account. All expenses directly attributable to the development, marketing, sale, production and distribution of the Software shall be paid from the operating account.

4.2 Signing Authority. Cheques and other withdrawals from the operating account shall require the signature of both parties.

4.3 Taxes. Each of the parties shall be responsible for remitting his/her own income taxes, sales taxes, or other government remittances, holdbacks or charges required by any local, provincial or federal government against his/her earnings from the Partnership, and each of the parties indemnifies the other party against any claims arising from the first party’s failure to do so.

4.4 Distribution of Profits. Net profits will be distributed to the Partners at the end of each calendar quarter, provided, however, that the Partnership will retain at all times a minimum balance of $ in the operating account for recovery, operating expenses, and the like.

THIS IS AN 8-PAGE DOCUMENT, including schedules.

PARTNER 1 SIGNATURE

Date:

PARTNER 2 SIGNATURE

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Software Development Partnership Agreement Is

A Software Development Partnership Agreement is a written contract that defines the relationship, responsibilities, deliverables, intellectual property, payment terms, and governance between two or more parties collaborating on software development. It allocates ownership of code and deliverables, sets project milestones, addresses confidentiality and data protection, and defines dispute resolution, termination rights, and liability limits. This agreement helps reduce ambiguity by documenting roles (client, development partner, subcontractors), specifying accepted deliverables, and establishing acceptance, warranty, and maintenance obligations for the software produced.

Why this Agreement Matters for Software Projects

A clear partnership agreement reduces scope disputes, protects intellectual property, and aligns expectations on timelines, payments, and quality. It helps allocate risk, preserves client and developer rights, and provides contractual remedies if milestones are missed or deliverables fail acceptance testing.

Why this Agreement Matters for Software Projects

Typical Parties and Teams That Use This Agreement

Organizations and individuals enter these agreements whenever two businesses, or a business and a contractor, jointly develop software or integrate workstreams across teams.

  • Product companies and startups contracting outsourced development or co-development arrangements, often with milestone-based payments and IP transfer clauses.
  • Agencies and software consultancies engaging clients to deliver custom applications, APIs, integrations, and ongoing support services.
  • In-house IT groups partnering with specialized vendors or contractors for modules, cloud migrations, or feature accelerations.

Use this agreement to clarify ownership, set acceptance tests, assign maintenance duties, and reduce later disputes over code, licensing, or revenue sharing.

Who Signs and Authorizes the Agreement

CTO Sam Lee

The Chief Technology Officer often signs for the development partner when technical deliverables and IP assignment clauses are central. The CTO certifies technical scope, acceptance criteria, and performance obligations on behalf of the developer.

CEO Maria Park

A chief executive or authorized corporate officer typically signs on behalf of the client to bind payment, confidentiality, and licensing commitments. Corporate signers should verify delegation authority before execution.

Core Provisions to Include in the Agreement

A robust Software Development Partnership Agreement addresses scope, IP, payments, warranties, confidentiality, and dispute resolution to reduce ambiguity and to preserve enforceable rights for both parties.

Scope of Work

Define specific deliverables, acceptance tests, milestones, and measurable success criteria. Include file formats, APIs, environments, and criteria for partial acceptance to avoid scope creep and change-order disputes.

Intellectual Property

State who owns source code, libraries, and derivative works. Include assignment, license grants, third-party components, open-source usage, and patent/merchantability clauses to prevent later ownership disputes.

Payment and Milestones

Specify fees, invoicing schedule, milestone acceptance triggers, late-payment remedies, and any retainers or escrow. Tie final payment to documented acceptance tests and deliverable handover.

Confidentiality and Data

Include NDA terms, data handling obligations, security standards, and any HIPAA or privacy addenda required for protected health information or sensitive client data.

Warranties and Liability

Limit liability, define warranty period and remedy (repair, replacement, or credit), and address indemnification for third-party claims, including open-source license breaches.

Termination and Exit

Set termination for convenience and cause, transition assistance, deliverable handover obligations, and intellectual property carve-outs to allow orderly project wind-down.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Software Development Partnership Agreement

Follow these steps to prepare, review, execute, and store the agreement so that responsibilities and IP rights are clear from day one.

  • 01
    Draft Scope: List deliverables, milestones, and acceptance tests in precise terms.
  • 02
    Allocate IP: Decide assignment versus license and record third-party components.
  • 03
    Agree Payments: Set milestone-linked payments, invoicing, and dispute resolution.
  • 04
    Execute: Sign, date, and retain executed copies; complete any notarization if required.

Common Digital Workflow Settings for Online Completion

Configure these workflow settings when using an eSignature platform to execute and track the agreement digitally.

Field Configuration
Signer Authentication Email link, SMS code, or knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
Signing Order Sequential or parallel signer order depending on approval needs
Required Fields Enforce signature, printed name, title, and date fields as mandatory
Audit Trail Enable full audit log capture (IP, timestamp, actions)

Typical Online Execution Flow

Online signing follows a predictable sequence. Configure each step to preserve intent, attribution, and a reproducible record.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads the final agreement version to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, initials, dates, and optional checkbox fields for consent.
  • Invite Signers: Enter signer emails and configure authentication and signing order.
  • Capture Evidence: Platform records timestamp, IP, and action log for the completed agreement.

Digital Signing and Technical Considerations

Choose platform features that support legal validity, secure authentication, and audit trails when e-signing the agreement.

  • Document Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: CRM and cloud storage connectivity
  • Security: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256

Ensure your chosen eSignature provider supports required compliance (ESIGN/UETA) and any industry standards such as HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11 if applicable.

Essential Information to Capture

Party Names: Full legal names
Addresses: Street, city, state, ZIP
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Payment Terms: Amount and cadence
IP Clauses: Assignment or license
Signatures: Name, title, date

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague scope descriptions that lead to disagreement over deliverables and extra costs; define features and acceptance tests precisely.
  • Failing to list third-party and open-source components, which can create unexpected licensing obligations and security issues later.
  • Not tying payments to objective acceptance criteria, enabling disputes about whether milestones were met and when payment is due.
  • Using informal or inconsistent signer authority; verify corporate signing authority and include titles to avoid later ratification disputes.

Risks and Contractual Consequences

IP Disputes: Possible injunctions or damages
Scope Creep: Unpaid work and schedule overruns
Data Breach: Regulatory fines and liabilities
Payment Default: Collection and litigation costs
Warranty Claims: Repair, replace, or credit
Termination Risk: Transition and exit costs

Key Dates and Timing Expectations

Specify dates clearly to avoid disputes about milestone performance, acceptance windows, and warranty periods.

Effective Date:

Start of obligations; used for warranty and statute calculations

Milestone Deadlines:

Specific delivery dates tied to payments and acceptance testing

Acceptance Period:

Number of days for client to test and accept deliverables

Warranty Window:

Fixed period after acceptance for defect remedies

Termination Notice:

Minimum notice days required for termination for convenience

Project Milestones and Review Stages

A structured milestone sequence clarifies delivery, review, and acceptance events across the project lifecycle.

01

Kickoff and Requirements

Requirements finalized and baseline scope agreed before development begins.

02

Development Sprints

Regular sprint deliveries with demo and review checkpoints for incremental validation.

03

User Acceptance

Client testing against documented acceptance criteria and bug remediation.

04

Final Handover

Delivery of source, documentation, and license or assignment paperwork for production release.

eSignature Platform Pricing Snapshot for Agreement Execution

Compare starting prices and key capabilities for common eSignature vendors when planning online execution for the Software Development Partnership Agreement.

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 (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions and Practical Answers

Answers to common questions about enforceability, signing methods, amendments, and recordkeeping for Software Development Partnership Agreements.


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