Software Development Retainer Agreement Template for Canada

A comprehensive legal agreement governed by Canadian law that establishes an ongoing retainer relationship between a software development service provider and a client. The agreement outlines the terms and conditions for regular software development services, including scope of work, payment terms, intellectual property rights, and service level commitments. It incorporates specific provisions compliant with Canadian federal and provincial legislation, particularly regarding digital commerce, privacy (PIPEDA), and intellectual property laws. The document provides flexibility for ongoing development needs while maintaining clear boundaries and expectations for both parties.

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What is a Software Development Retainer Agreement?

The Software Development Retainer Agreement is essential for businesses seeking to establish a long-term, reliable software development relationship in the Canadian market. This document is particularly valuable when clients require regular, ongoing software development services with predictable availability and pricing. It addresses key aspects such as resource allocation, service levels, intellectual property rights, and confidentiality obligations, all within the framework of Canadian federal and provincial laws. The agreement is structured to provide flexibility while ensuring clear commitments from both parties, making it ideal for projects requiring consistent development support rather than one-off engagements. It includes specific provisions for compliance with Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA), electronic commerce regulations, and intellectual property protection, while establishing clear parameters for the retainer relationship.

What sections should be included in a Software Development Retainer Agreement?

1. Parties: Identification of the service provider and client, including full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Context of the agreement and brief description of the parties' business relationship

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement including 'Services', 'Deliverables', 'Intellectual Property', 'Confidential Information'

4. Scope of Services: Description of the software development services covered under the retainer

5. Retainer Terms: Details of the retainer arrangement including minimum hours, rollover provisions, and service availability

6. Payment and Billing: Retainer fee structure, payment schedule, expenses, and invoicing procedures

7. Service Level Requirements: Response times, availability, and performance standards

8. Intellectual Property Rights: Ownership and licensing of developed software, existing IP, and third-party components

9. Confidentiality: Protection of confidential information and trade secrets

10. Data Protection and Privacy: Compliance with privacy laws and data handling procedures

11. Warranties and Representations: Guarantees regarding service quality, compliance with laws, and authority to contract

12. Limitation of Liability: Caps on liability and exclusions of certain types of damages

13. Term and Termination: Duration of agreement, renewal terms, and termination provisions

14. General Provisions: Standard legal clauses including governing law, notices, and assignment

What sections are optional to include in a Software Development Retainer Agreement?

1. Non-Solicitation: Prevents parties from hiring each other's employees or contractors - include when working with larger organizations

2. Source Code Escrow: Provisions for source code storage with third party - include for business-critical applications

3. Change Control Process: Formal procedure for managing changes to scope or requirements - include for complex projects

4. Service Credits: Compensation mechanism for missed service levels - include when specific performance metrics are crucial

5. Disaster Recovery: Procedures for handling system failures and data recovery - include for mission-critical systems

6. Insurance Requirements: Specific insurance coverage requirements - include for high-value or high-risk projects

7. Security Requirements: Specific security standards and compliance requirements - include when handling sensitive data

8. Acceptance Testing: Detailed testing and acceptance procedures - include for complex deliverables

What schedules should be included in a Software Development Retainer Agreement?

1. Schedule A - Services Description: Detailed description of software development services and methodologies

2. Schedule B - Service Levels: Detailed service level metrics and measurement criteria

3. Schedule C - Rate Card: Hourly rates for different resource types and overtime rates

4. Schedule D - Key Personnel: List of key team members and their roles

5. Schedule E - Technical Requirements: Specific technical standards and requirements

6. Appendix 1 - Change Request Form: Template for requesting and documenting changes

7. Appendix 2 - Security Policies: Detailed security procedures and requirements

8. Appendix 3 - Acceptance Test Criteria: Specific criteria for accepting deliverables

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents

Jurisdiction

Canada

Publisher

Genie AI

Cost

Free to use

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