Software Distribution Agreement

The Software Distribution Agreement is designed for use in a business-to-business (B2B) relationship where one company ("distributor") is selling or otherwise supplying computer hardware to third parties and that distributor requires software produced or provided by another company ("supplier") for installation and use on that hardware. The wording in this template provides for the appointment of the distributor to be on a non-exclusive basis but it can be adapted by suitable additional wording for use on an exclusive basis.

If you wish to use this document in a scenario that involves personal data, you can use the Clauses that have been included in the document as optional Clauses, if they are appropriate.

The data protection provisions in this document have been updated with reference to the UK GDPR.

Important aspects of the relationship are addressed in detail. The supplier is required to provide all necessary technical information and, where appropriate, training, to the distributor. It is important to note, however, that the primary responsibility for providing after-sales support for the software falls to the distributor (thus making such information and training even more important).

The distributor is bound by minimum order targets in this agreement. The supplier is given a degree of flexibility as to how to supply the software. The wording of this template is sufficiently broad to allow for the delivery of software electronically or on physical, packaged media.

As to liability and indemnity provisions, while favouring the supplier, this template nonetheless aims to protect both sides in its basic form. The distributor is required to indemnify the supplier for claims arising out of the negligence of its (the distributor’s) staff and out of defects in the hardware. Subject to the distributor’s compliance with certain provisos, the supplier agrees to defend the distributor against any intellectual property infringement claims concerning the software that may be brought against the distributor by a third party.

Further key clauses address confidential information, termination, the relationship between the supplier and distributor, and a range of standard (“boilerplate”) contractual matters. It is important to note that a considerable amount of detail (the specifics of a particular agreement, that is) must be added to this document when using it. A range of schedules is therefore also included with references thereto throughout the document.

This form of agreement is only suitable for use where both parties are based and operate in the UK, and the supply of the distributor's hardware and the supplier's software products by the distributor is only to the distributor's customers in the UK. For any other case, you should take legal advice as to what would be suitable terms of agreement.

Optional phrases / clauses are enclosed in square brackets. These should be read carefully and selected so as to be compatible with one another. Unused options should be removed from the document.

This document is duplicated in the IT & Software group.

This Software Distribution Agreement contains the following clauses:

1. Definitions and Interpretation
2. Grant
3. Term
4. Technical Information
5. Training
6. [Commercial and Technical Assistance]
7. Ordering of Software
8. Delivery of Software
9. Risk
10. Payment
11. Licence to End Users
12. Licence to Distributor
13. Enhancements and Modifications
14. Software Support
15. Undertakings by the Distributor
16. Liability
17. Force Majeure
18. Warranties
19. Copyright, Patents, Trade Marks and Intellectual Property Rights
20. Confidential Information
21. Termination or Expiry
22. Changes in Distributor
23. Relationship of the Distributor to the Supplier
24. Waiver
25. Assignment
26. Successors and Assignees
27. Notices
28. Announcements
29. Entire Agreement
30. Amendments
31. Severability
32. Counterparts
33. Language
34. Costs and Expenses
35. Set-off
36. Third Parties
37. Data Protection
38. Data Processing
39. Law and Jurisdiction

and the following schedules:

1. Software, Hardware, Territory, Retained Territories
2. Quantities of Software and Licence Fees
3. Technical Information
4. Software Licence Agreement
5. Supplier’s Support Terms and Charges to Distributor
6. Data Processing

This Software Distribution Agreement is in open format. Either enter the requisite details in the highlighted fields or adjust the wording to suit your purposes.

Once you have purchased access to the appropriate document folder click on the “Download Document” link below. You will be asked what you want to do with the file. It is recommended that you save the document to a location of your choice prior to viewing.

Software Distribution Agreement is part of Business Documents. Just £35.00 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Business Documents for 1 year.