12+ SAMPLE Multi User License Agreement

What Is a Multiple-Users License Agreement?

A multiple-user license agreement is a legally binding document that outlines all the decisions regarding installing a program on multiple computers by different users. It is employed by paid trial and final software on personal computers. Typically, the program can accommodate more than five users. In addition, it is a non-exclusive and non-transferable license to operate any app or software maintenance subject to terms of service. Additionally, it is subject to the terms of any third-party apps.

Benefits of a Multiple-Users License Agreement

The primary objective of licensing is twofold. On the one hand, well-established businesses have access to capital, knowledge, and experience in an already established market. To fund the production of your product as a startup business partnership agreement, you will need to either pursue investment from others or contribute your funds. This can require a considerable quantity of time and money, and it can be dangerous. Secondly, a larger, more profitable company can manufacture in more significant quantities and market your product on a much larger scale – to a much larger audience – a capability that smaller, independent companies need to gain. In essence, a licensing agreement is an obvious decision because you receive a percentage of the revenue generated without having to perform any work. As the funds arrive, you can lay back, relax, and check your mailbox for that elusive return on investment.

Types of Software Licenses

Individual licenses may have unique conditions and restrictions depending on the software and developer. Still, software licenses generally fall into one of five categories, and it is crucial to know which category your software license falls into. The five types of software licensing are as follows:

Public domain license: A public domain license is the most permissive type of software license. A public domain license imposes no restrictions on use, allowing users to create personal and commercial products using the software without monetarily compensating its creator. Typically, software with a public domain license is open source, allowing users to modify or build upon the software’s code to customize its use or create a new software package.GNU Lesser General Public License: The GNU Lesser General Public License (LPGL) is a software license released by the Free Software Foundation. The LPGL is an offshoot of the GNU General Public License (GPL) that permits programmers to use open-source libraries within the source code of their software without disclosing the source code used to construct the components. A software developer contract that creates a new work using an LPGL is not required to make the latest software available under a matching license if the new job is not a derivative of the original software. A company could, for instance, protect a program that dynamically links with an existing LGLP library by employing a more restrictive license that does not conflict with the license of the original library.Permissive license: A permissive license allows users minimal restrictions on modifying, redistributing, and using the software. This license is comparable to public domain licenses but is more restrictive because it may include intellectual property protection conditions. This license typically requires you to retain copyright information regarding the licensed software. A company releasing software under a permissive license may adopt one of the famous permissive license structures, create its own, or use a combination of the two by adopting a renowned structure and adding or removing requirements within a limited scope.Copyleft license: Copyleft licenses are reciprocal or restrictive; while similar to an LGPL, they have more stipulations to adhere to. For instance, it permits a user to modify and use proprietary code stipulating that you release any resulting software under the same terms. This can create a more open development environment, as these new works become sources of inspiration or assistance for others who develop products also released under the copyleft license.Proprietary license: The most restrictive type of software license is a proprietary license. Most proprietary licenses give the developer or publisher all rights to the software once it is released. They also say that users can’t change or redistribute the software or its code, and they require end users to agree to the software’s end-user license agreement (EULA) if they want to use it. This license type protects the developer’s interests more than any other type.

Tips for Negotiating Software Licenses

Software license and service agreements have approached or surpassed leases and insurance contracts as the most complex yet crucial non-core agreements entered into by businesses. Companies on the licensee/customer side of these agreements habitually fail to make well-informed and deliberate decisions regarding the terms of these agreements, as most businesses are outside the company of licensing software. Although the topic is too complex to be comprehensively covered in a short article, there are several customer-side pitfalls to avoid the next time you review or negotiate a software license or service agreement.

1. Do Not Presume You Are Unable to Negotiate

Customers often think that the parts of a software license or service agreement that aren’t about price can’t be changed. Sometimes that is true. Microsoft will probably not sit down with a small business and negotiate the terms of a license for Excel software. But when a large customer, a new provider, or a provider trying to get a piece of the market in a new segment is involved, the “form” contract of the provider is often negotiated and changed. Also, even if a provider isn’t willing to negotiate the general terms of their standard agreement, the content of exhibits or schedules to the contract is often more open to change.

2. Understand Pricing and Utilization Schemes

The pricing structure for the right-to-use software is highly variable due to the intangible nature of the software. It may be licensed to a user, made available as a service, or both. The agreement may grant the right to have a fixed number of unique, identified users, a fixed number of concurrent users, a fixed number of server installations, a fixed number of facilities, a fixed number of access hours, or the right to store and utilize a specified amount of data. In the same way, it is crucial to know whether your law firm charges by the hour or by the project; you must also comprehend the pricing structure. A failure to grasp the “unit of measure” for a software agreement can result in significant problems, including frustrating restrictions, substantial unexpected charges, and even lawsuits filed by the provider to recover for “unauthorized” use that you believed to be permissible. Understand the pricing structure and usage rights, and appoint a suitably senior individual to oversee compliance.

3. Get Promises in Writing

Like most complex business contracts, software license or service agreements almost always have a clause called “merger or entire agreement” that says any promises that aren’t in the contract aren’t true. This means that sales or technical staff who make promises about the software in sales meetings, demos, or email memos can only sometimes keep those promises. Any securities or guarantees you need to feel good about the agreement should be written in the agreement or documents accompanying it.

4. Get Measurable Promises

Warranties that promise a “good and workmanlike” or “industry standard” level of reliability or performance are essential. Still, disagreements can go on for years because they need to be more precise. A buyer should look for broad promises about quality and, if possible, more particular promises about how well something will work. The right metrics will depend on the situation. A standard metric for a cloud-based service is the percentage of time it is available. The speed at which transactions are processed for inventory checklists or billing software could be a good metric. A disappointed buyer can have a much easier time persuading a provider that there is a real problem that needs to be fixed if they have numbers to back up their claims.

5. Consider Your Planned Intellectual Property Investment

Some software is comparatively plug-and-play, simple to integrate with other technologies, and leaves the user with little to do besides use. Other software, however, may be highly customizable or even necessitate the addition of new code to function with other technologies utilized by your business. Most software licenses and service agreements contain extensive and unilateral provisions that transfer all software-related intellectual property to the provider. This means that the provider may observe your innovative configuration and decide to market it themselves, possibly to your competitors. Consider negotiating joint intellectual property ownership or, at the very least, a confidentiality obligation on the provider’s part if you anticipate your IT department to perform a substantial amount of customization.

How to Grant Licenses for Products

A product license is a legal agreement between two parties in which the owner of a product’s intellectual property authorizes another company to market the product in a specific region. The company selling the product may compensate the intellectual property owner with a fixed fee, a percentage of the sales budget, or both. Following is a list of actions you can take to license your products:

1. Conduct Market Research

You can initiate preparations for obtaining a license for your product by conducting a market research report. This gives you a better comprehension of the market in which you sell your product and the potential needs you may wish to pursue. For instance, market research may enable you to identify a region where your product may be successful and where you can meet demand through a licensing agreement with another business.

2. Construct Your Product

Focus on making your product as appealing as feasible. This may include internal testing, focus groups, and limited releases to gauge consumer response. By refining and adding value to your product, you can make it a more attractive licensing opportunity for a company seeking to agree.

3. Consider Independent Sales

Determine if you intend to sell your product directly in addition to licensing it or if you intend to rely solely on licensing agreements. When seeking licensing contracts, selling your product alone can be a compelling proof of concept. By establishing your ability to sell a product within a market, you can demonstrate your attractiveness to a potential licensee seeking to take over sales in the current region or begin selling your product in a new area.

4. Create an Envelope and Presentation

Create documents or a presentation that demonstrates the value an agreement can provide to a potential licensee. This may include critical market research, sales performance evaluation, and customer reviews of products and services. A package enables you to demonstrate the benefits of your product to entice a potential licensee and to provide leverage during negotiations if the licensee is interested in your product.

5. Negotiate Licensing

Discuss your licensing objectives and requirements with the prospective licensee. Negotiation enables you and the other party to discuss common ground and reach compromises in areas where your and their objectives differ. It also assists you in getting a mutually beneficial agreement.

FAQs

Can I sell my product without a license?

A tax license is required to provide services or sell products online. Ensure that you are familiar with your state’s taxation regulations.

What are the most common license agreements?

The trademarks, technologies, and trade secrets included in the most common license agreements are trademarks, technologies, and trade secrets. Frequently, these agreements involve multiple types of intellectual property. There are similarities among many contracts, but there are also significant differences.

What is the purpose of a commercial agreement?

A commercial contract may refer to a legally binding agreement between parties in which they are obligated to perform or refrain from performing specified acts. It may cover all aspects of a business, including hiring, wages, leases, insurance, financing, and employee safety.

If you need assistance drafting a license agreement, visit our website and locate a template that suits your needs. Contracts are essential to every business, so they must be meticulously crafted.