Partnership Agreement Template for SaaS Businesses (UK 2025)
Last updated: February 2025
Why SaaS Businesses Need a Partnership Agreement
SaaS partnership agreements govern co-development arrangements, technology integrations, reseller relationships, and strategic alliances between software companies. These must address IP ownership for jointly developed features, revenue sharing for referrals or white-label arrangements, API access terms, and the critical issue of what happens to integrations and shared customers if the partnership dissolves. Data sharing between SaaS platforms creates specific GDPR obligations that the agreement must address.
Key Clauses for SaaS
- IP ownership for jointly developed features and integrations
- Revenue sharing model for referrals, reselling, or white-labelling
- API access terms, rate limits, and uptime commitments
- Data sharing obligations and GDPR compliance between platforms
Common Mistakes
- Not clearly defining IP ownership for features developed collaboratively, leading to disputes if the partnership ends
- Failing to address what happens to shared customer integrations and data flows when the partnership terminates
Template Sections
- IP ownership and licensing for joint developments
- Revenue sharing and financial arrangements
- API access and technical integration terms
FAQ
Who owns IP developed jointly in a SaaS partnership?
This must be explicitly agreed in the partnership agreement. Options include joint ownership, which creates complexities around independent licensing, ownership by one party with a licence to the other, or ownership split by component. Most partnerships work best with clear single ownership per component and cross-licensing arrangements for shared use.
What happens to customer integrations when a SaaS partnership ends?
The agreement should specify a transition period of typically 6-12 months during which existing integrations continue to function, giving shared customers time to find alternatives. Include provisions for data migration assistance, continued API access during transition, and the obligation not to disrupt shared customers as a competitive tactic.
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Get Started FreeThis is guidance for UK businesses, not legal advice. Templates are illustrative. Consult a solicitor for complex matters.
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