Software Maintenance Agreement for the United States

Software Maintenance Agreement Template for United States

A Software Maintenance Agreement is a legally binding contract under U.S. law that establishes the terms and conditions under which a software provider will maintain, support, and update software for a customer. This agreement typically covers bug fixes, updates, technical support, and performance optimization. It outlines service levels, response times, fee structures, and the responsibilities of both parties. The agreement incorporates relevant U.S. federal and state laws, including copyright protection, data privacy requirements, and consumer protection regulations.

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What is a Software Maintenance Agreement?

The Software Maintenance Agreement serves as a critical document in the technology sector, establishing the framework for ongoing software support and maintenance services. This agreement is essential when a customer requires continued support, updates, and maintenance for software after its initial deployment. The document, governed by U.S. law, typically follows the purchase or licensing of software and details specific maintenance obligations, service levels, and support procedures. It includes provisions for bug fixes, updates, technical support, and system optimization, while addressing key legal considerations such as intellectual property rights, data protection, and liability limitations. The Software Maintenance Agreement is particularly important for businesses relying on software for their operations and needs to be carefully drafted to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations while protecting both parties' interests.

What sections should be included in a Software Maintenance Agreement?

1. Parties: Identifies the service provider and customer with full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Explains the context of the agreement and the parties' intentions

3. Definitions: Defines key terms used throughout the agreement

4. Scope of Services: Details the maintenance and support services to be provided

5. Service Levels: Specifies response times, availability, and performance metrics

6. Payment Terms: Details fees, payment schedule, and invoicing procedures

7. Term and Termination: Specifies duration, renewal terms, and termination conditions

8. Intellectual Property Rights: Addresses ownership and usage rights of software and modifications

9. Confidentiality: Protects sensitive information exchanged during service provision

What sections are optional to include in a Software Maintenance Agreement?

1. Change Control: Procedures for requesting and implementing changes to the software or service scope

2. Disaster Recovery: Procedures and responsibilities for system recovery after major incidents

3. Security Requirements: Specific security measures, compliance requirements, and data protection obligations

4. Training: Provisions for user training, documentation, and knowledge transfer

What schedules should be included in a Software Maintenance Agreement?

1. Service Level Agreement (SLA): Detailed metrics, performance standards, and response time commitments

2. Fee Schedule: Detailed breakdown of maintenance fees, payment terms, and rate cards

3. Support Procedures: Detailed procedures for requesting and providing technical support

4. Software Specifications: Technical details and specifications of the software being maintained

5. Escalation Matrix: Contact details and procedures for issue escalation across different severity levels

6. Change Request Template: Standard form and process for requesting and documenting software changes

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 | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Genie AI

Document Type

Agreement Contract

Cost

Free to use
Relevant legal definitions
Clauses
Industries

Copyright Act: 17 U.S.C. - Federal legislation governing software protection and licensing rights, crucial for defining the scope of software usage and modification rights

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): Federal law addressing unauthorized access to computer systems and data, relevant for security obligations in maintenance agreements

Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA): Federal law governing electronic communications privacy, important for data handling during maintenance activities

Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA): Federal requirements for information security standards, particularly relevant when dealing with government agencies

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA): Federal law addressing digital copyright issues and technological protection measures

State Data Breach Laws: Various state-specific requirements for handling and reporting data breaches during maintenance activities

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): California-specific privacy requirements affecting data handling and consumer rights in software maintenance

Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Article 2: State-adopted uniform law governing commercial transactions, including software licensing and maintenance

Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA): State-adopted uniform law governing electronic transactions and signatures in software agreements

Federal Trade Commission Act: Federal consumer protection law affecting warranties, representations, and service promises in maintenance agreements

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: Federal law governing written warranties for consumer products, applicable to consumer software maintenance

Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Federal regulations controlling the export of commercial and dual-use software and technology

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Federal regulations controlling the export of defense-related software and technical data

Patent Laws: Federal laws protecting novel and non-obvious aspects of software functionality and maintenance methods

Trade Secret Laws: State and federal protections for confidential business information and proprietary software maintenance procedures

State Liability Laws: Various state-specific regulations governing liability limitations and indemnification in service agreements

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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