# Improved Technology > Improved Technology means advancements in software, hardware, or processes expected to positively impact a business **Term:** Improved Technology **Last updated:** 2026-07-29 ## Definition ## What Improved Technology Means in a Contract Improved Technology refers to a contractual concept covering advancements in software, hardware, or business processes that are expected to have a positive effect on a company's operations, competitiveness, or value. The term is typically used to describe changes made after the original technology was licensed, sold, or developed, and it exists to answer a practical question: what happens when one party makes the underlying technology better? In most agreements, Improved Technology is not merely a descriptive phrase but a defined term with legal consequences. Once technology is classified as an improvement, it may automatically fall under an existing license, trigger a duty to disclose, or become subject to separate negotiation. This makes the definition itself a critical piece of contract architecture rather than a passing reference. The concept is especially relevant in industries where technology evolves quickly, such as