Reviewing Software Licences – A Checklist for Licensees (Europe)

This checklist is for use by licensees when reviewing a licensor's terms for the licence of commercially available packaged software. The checklist covers key issues that frequently arise in these types of licensing arrangements. However, it is not intended to be an exhaustive list and licensees should be careful to review all licence terms carefully. Agreements in respect of software that is to be developed or heavily configured specifically for the licensee are outside the scope of this checklist. In those circumstances, the contract is likely to (and should) contain additional detailed provisions relating to the ownership of intellectual property rights in the new software, acceptance, conformity with specification, delivery of bespoke elements and warranties. The checklist is written from a European perspective. For non-European software licences, users should ensure that they take into account relevant local law issues.