How to write your Software License and Royalty Agreement
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Use cases for this template
PrismForge's animation vault powers a game engine that deals with VectorVista
The Challenge
Indie studio PrismForge, led by Aria Novak, was approached by VectorVista to license a library of cinematic animations for a new game engine add-on, but the parties struggled to define scope, royalty rates, and brand integrity while ensuring confidential information stayed protected during previews to potential customers and other parties.
The Solution
They used Proposal Kit's licensing and royalty contract template to structure the granted rights and payment terms, then relied on Proposal Kit's AI Writer to craft supporting documents-a commercialization plan, a usage guidelines brief, and a rollout risk report-plus automated line-item quoting to price technical support tiers, distribution resources, and marketing funds without touching the legal contract's core language.
The Implementation
VectorVista's lawyer and PrismForge's legal advisors aligned on territory and term while Aria assembled the plan and guidelines with Proposal Kit's templates; the AI Writer produced a concise research summary on creator attribution, and line-item quotes detailed money flows for milestones, QA tools, and training, which helped the teams modify assumptions and finalize schedules before signing.
The Outcome
Negotiations closed in two weeks, the add-on launched with clear rights and obligations, PrismForge earned ongoing royalties tied to sales milestones, and both brands gained a competitive edge through smooth implementation and fewer surprises in operations.
SunWave Learning expands in the EU and Africa with BlueOrbit Software
The Challenge
Kofi Mensah at SunWave wanted a non-exclusive license so BlueOrbit could bundle educational videos into classroom software across the European Union and several developing countries, but differing regulations, localization costs, and reporting demands threatened delays and potential compliance gaps.
The Solution
Using Proposal Kit, the teams adopted a licensing and royalty template for the legal contract, then produced supporting materials: an AI Writer-generated country-by-country compliance brief, a market expansion proposal, and a field deployment plan; automated line-item quoting laid out localization budgets, training, and support desk resources.
The Implementation
BlueOrbit's office leads reviewed the proposal package, adjusted budgets with real-time quotes, and integrated a reporting calendar; SunWave's counsel added a definitions appendix and delivery timeline, while the AI Writer created a concise customer onboarding guide to ensure front-line user teams could comply with acceptable use.
The Outcome
The license went live on schedule, royalties tracked to unit sales were transparent, SunWave reached new classrooms without costly disputes, and BlueOrbit met its access and learning outcomes targets with clear documentation for auditors.
BrightPixel's 3D retail assets streamline HoloCart's AR catalog
The Challenge
Retail platform HoloCart sought an exclusive license to BrightPixel's photoreal 3D models for AR product try-ons, but data security, confidential business information, and performance guarantees for embedded assets in HoloCart's computer systems made the deal fragile.
The Solution
They executed the licensing and royalty agreement using Proposal Kit's template and created supporting documents with Proposal Kit's AI Writer: a security white paper, a brand usage playbook, and an implementation readiness report; line-item quoting detailed maintenance windows, SLAs, and incident response funding separate from the contract.
The Implementation
HoloCart's technical leads walked through the readiness report, adjusted resource allocations with updated quotes, and staged a pilot; BrightPixel's team used the playbook to train merchandisers, while legal advisors confirmed reporting and notice procedures so both sides could enforce terms if needed.
The Outcome
The AR catalog launched with strong performance, BrightPixel gained steady income streams through tiered royalties, HoloCart reduced operational risks, and both companies accelerated roadmap decisions based on clearly documented roles and budgets.
Abstract
This licensing and royalty legal contract outlines how two parties grant and use rights to creative works in the Software Graphics Market. It functions like a software license agreement for media assets, defining a grant of license that is exclusive in that market. The scope covers recordings, digital artwork, animation, music, video, and derivative works for commercial use, including software products and promotions. By setting the effective date, term, and termination, and legal jurisdiction, the agreement protects intellectual property rights under applicable laws and makes the entire agreement enforceable.
Key terms address usage, waiver of approval, and indemnification. The licensor allows broad distribution and public disclosure of licensed IP, which can speed development but raises quality control and brand integrity considerations that the parties involved should manage. Confidential information and trade secrets shared during collaboration must remain protected; unauthorized use or disclosure could trigger legal proceedings, and the licensor may be held responsible for resulting claims. Ownership rights allocate new ideas and improvements to the licensee's core products, so sub-licensing, exclusivity, and restrictions should be clearly defined to prevent disputes.
Financial terms require completion during contract creation. Payment terms may include royalty payments, royalty rates, payment schedules, licensor royalties on each unit sold, or a percentage of sales volumes, minimum guarantees, or a one-time payment. The template also allows early termination on thirty days' written notice.
In a material breach, the prevailing party may seek enforcement, injunctive relief, or litigation; the parties can also add mediation or arbitration as a dispute resolution option. Legal counsel and legal professionals typically review definitions, granted rights, territory, duration, and other provisions to reduce costly disputes and align with business goals and expectations.
Use cases include a software developer licensing animation clips for programs, an enterprise vendor bundling licensed technology into new products, or organizations licensing creative works to expand market reach and brand recognition. These structures can support a steady income stream and diversified revenue streams while preserving proprietary assets and reputation.
Proposal Kit helps businesses streamline contract creation by assembling enforceable documents, clearly defining financial terms, and aligning key terms with the business model. Its template library, automated line-item quoting, and AI Writer for supporting documents help teams negotiate details, manage conditions governing performance, and maintain a competitive advantage without time-consuming rework.
Beyond the core grant of license, parties hereto should consider how exclusivity, territory, and scope can significantly impact licensed products and revenue. This agreement uses an exclusive license in the Software Graphics Market, granting exclusive rights and a license to use the licensor's IP to the extent specified. In other instances, the same framework can support a non-exclusive license for other forms, countries, or channels, allowing businesses to expand worldwide, including the European Union and developing countries, while maintaining compliance with local regulations. The agreement's confidentiality clause protects confidential business information and data security, restricting disclosure to authorized personnel and prohibiting practices that would expose trade secrets or other identifiers that distinguish goods, trademarks, or original works.
Financially, the main topics can include ongoing royalties tied to sales milestones, other payments, or a one-time fee; under certain conditions, the licensee agrees to bear their own expenses for implementation or technical support. Clear definitions of royalty basis, timeframe, and filing date for reports help prevent failure to pay and reduce potential risks. Representations based on the licensor's knowledge and assurances about the validity of the licensor's IP help identify infringement risks and who may be liable if content embedded in software algorithms touches patents, patent rights, design patents, or a patented invention owned by a patent holder or IP owner.
Legal advisors often add exceptions for incidental uses, modifications, or content transferred to affiliates or subsidiaries. Notices by registered mail, fair and acceptable rules of compliance, and steps to enforce rights can resolve differences before they lead to litigation.
Operationally, the ownership clause gives the licensee the sole right to improvements tied to its core products, an important role that can affect innovation and investment strategy. If another party challenges rights, the contract enables the owner to enforce interests, sue in a valid legal jurisdiction, and request remedies against infringement. Bankruptcy, failing to meet sales volumes, or failure to comply with regulations are specific circumstances that can trigger early termination.
Strategic negotiation helps incorporate renewal options so an agreement may be renewed or modified during the period referred to as the term. A clear witness whereof signature block, authorization language, and status of the parties improve implementation and marketplace readiness.
Proposal Kit is a powerful tool to streamline contract creation for various industries. Its extensive template library, document assembly, automated line-item quoting, and AI Writer help legal professionals and business teams specify key terms, manage negotiation, and assemble compliant drafts that align with business goals, leverage established IP, and maintain a competitive edge without unnecessary rework.
Additionally, the parties should align on operational mechanics that ensure compliance during day-to-day use of the licensed materials. A clear definition of user, access permissions, and prohibited disclosures helps manage computer systems, data exchange, and software operations where content is embedded. The agreement should specify the following terms that govern rights and obligations among the parties hereto and any other parties who may handle resources or tools on the licensee's behalf.
It also helps to document notice addresses for each office to route inquiries and change requests, and to state the consequences of failing to comply. The contract essentially functions as a control system: it specifies what may be disclosed to customers, what must remain internal, and what the licensor must not share with another party. Stating the efforts required to maintain brand standards and when the licensee may modify formats for compatibility improves workflow in instance-based implementations.
Money and reporting provisions benefit from precise language on when payments are due, what records are reviewable, and how adjustments are handled if metrics change. The agreement should preserve the ability to update processes to reflect expanding markets or new research findings while staying within compliance boundaries. Counsel can confirm incorporation details, signing authority, and whether the structure coexists with franchising models without creating unintended obligations.
Involving a lawyer with the right expertise helps the team identify potentially risky clauses before operations begin. Proposal Kit's templates and assembly tools help organizations document these specifics, from definitions and notices to change controls, so teams can implement agreements with clarity and confidence.
How do you write a Software License and Royalty Agreement document? - The Narrative
LICENSING AND ROYALTY AGREEMENT
This Licensing Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into this Current Day day of Current Month, Current Year by and between Company Name, a State company (hereafter "Licensee"), and Company Name, (hereafter "Licensor").
The Licensee desires to license content from the Licensor in the following areas of media and design:
Insert description of media areas and design. Licensor desires to participate in collaborative/collective work and has agreed to provide content and media for the Licensee to be distributed/released in a collection under the Licensee Name and Brand.
In consideration of the mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement, Licensor and Licensee hereby agree as follows:
Licensed Content
Licensor grants to Licensee, its agents, successors, or assigns, those for whom Licensee is acting, and those acting with its authority and permission, the absolute and right and permission to copyright, use, re-use, publish, and republish, recordings, copies, reproductions, digitally sampled and/or reconstructed versions of Licensor's DVD, CD-ROM, VHS, S-VHS, DV, Mini-DV, SWF, . Fla, Digital Artwork and other Media submission(s), in whole or in part, including but not limited to any and all animation, music, video, narrative shorts, features and trailers, in whatever form submitted (collectively the "Content"), in any advertising, display, or product, including software releases, derivative or ancillary products or works, whether such products or works are now in existence or are hereafter created or acquired. Licensor and Licensee further agree that such right and permission has been granted to Licensee on an exclusive basis for use in the Software Graphics Market.
Content Description:
Insert description of the content to be licensed.
Usage
The Content may be copyrighted, used and/or published individually or in conjunction with other photography, video works, and recordings, and in any medium (including without limitation, print publications, public broadcast, CD-ROM format) and for any lawful purpose, including without limitation, trade, exhibition, illustration, promotion, publicity, advertising and electronic publication.
Waiver of Approval
Licensor waives any right that Licensor may have to inspect or approve the finished product or products, or any advertising copy or printed matter that may be used in connection with such product, or the use to which it may be applied.
Indemnification
Licensor releases, discharges and agrees to hold harmless, Licensee, its agents, successors or assigns, and all persons acting under its permission or authority, or those for whom it is acting, from any liability by virtue of any distortion, alteration, digitization, reconstruction, or use in composite form, whether intentional or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in the recording and subsequent reconstruction of the Content, or any other subsequent processing thereof, as well as any publication of the resulting materials.
Warranties
Licensor warrants that Licensor is of legal age and has every right to contract in Licensor's own name in this matter. Licensor further warrants that Licensor has the full right and authority to license the properties to Licensee as provided herein and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Licensee from any and all expenses, suits, judgments, damages and related costs and fees arising out of Licensor's actions, omissions, negligence or otherwise under this Agreement. Licensor acknowledges that Licensor has read this Agreement prior to its execution, and that Licensor is fully familiar with its contents.
Compensation
The Licensee will pay Licensor for the following expenses incurred under this Agreement:
Insert description of all expenses covered by the Agreement.
Independent Contractor
Nothing herein shall be construed to create an employer-employee relationship between the parties. The consideration set forth above shall be the sole payment due to Licensor for services rendered. It is understood that the Licensee will not withhold any amounts for payment of taxes from the compensation of Licensor and that Licensor will be solely responsible to pay all applicable taxes from said payment, including payments owed to its employees and subagents.
Confidentiality
In the course of performing services, the parties recognize that Licensor may come in contact with or become familiar with information which the Licensee or its clients may consider confidential. This information may include, but not limited to, information pertaining to design methods, pricing information, or work methods of the Licensee, as well as information provided by clients of the Licensee for inclusion in Web sites to be developed for clients, which may be of value to competitors of the Licensee or its clients. Licensor agrees to keep all such information confidential and not to discuss what evolved any of it to anyone other than appropriate Licensee personnel or their delegates. The parties agree that in the event of a breach of this Agreement damages may be difficult to ascertain or prove.
The parties therefore agree that if Client breaches this Agreement, Licensee shall be entitled to seek relief from a court of competent jurisdiction, including injunctive relief, and shall be entitled to an award of liquidated damages.
Term of Agreement
This Agreement shall begin on Start Date and shall terminate on End Date, unless terminated for any reason by either party upon thirty (30) days prior written notice.
Communication
Any notice or communication permitted or required by this Agreement shall be deemed effective when personally delivered or deposited, postage prepaid, by first-class regular mail, addressed to the other party's last known address.
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and replaces and supersedes all other agreements or understanding, whether written or oral. No amendment, extension, or change of the Agreement shall be binding unless it is in writing and signed by all of the parties hereto.
Binding Effect
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of Licensee and to the Licensee's successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to permit the assignment by Licensor of any of its rights or obligations hereunder to any third party without the Licensee's prior written consent.
Ownership Rights
All plans, ideas, improvements or inventions developed by Licensor during the term of this Agreement shall belong to the Licensee and/or its clients for whom work is being performed, as it relates to the Licensee's core products and Intellectual Property. Licensor shall, however, retain the right to display works s/he creates for Licensee in their portfolio, subject to Licensee's written approval in advance, said approval not to be unreasonably withheld.
Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of State. Exclusive jurisdiction and venue shall be in the County County, State Superior Court. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney fees and statutory costs. To any portion of this Agreement declared unenforceable, that portion shall be construed to give it the maximum effect possible, and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
Each party represents and warrants that, on the date first written above, they are authorized to enter into this Agreement in entirety and duly bind their respective principals by their signature below:

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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I customize this contract to fit my business needs?
Customizing this contract involves editing the document to include your business details, terms, and conditions. The templates are designed to be flexible, allowing you to insert your company's name, address, and other relevant information. You can modify clauses to reflect your unique business practices and legal requirements.
Is this contract compliant with laws and regulations?
The legal contract templates are written by legal professionals and designed to comply with current laws and regulations at the time of their writing. However, laws can vary by jurisdiction and change over time, so it's recommended to have your contract reviewed by a local attorney to ensure it meets all legal requirements specific to your region and industry. Templates are licensed as self-help information and not as legal advice.
Can I use the same contract for different clients or projects?
You can use the same contract for different clients or projects. The templates are versatile and easily adapted for various scenarios. You will need to update specific details such as client names, project descriptions, and any unique terms for each new agreement to ensure that each contract accurately reflects the particulars of the individual client or project.
What should I do if I encounter a clause or term I don't understand?
If you encounter a clause or term in the contract that you need help understanding, you can refer to guidance notes explaining each section's purpose and use. For more complex or unclear terms, it's advisable to consult with a legal professional who can explain the clause and help you determine if any modifications are necessary to suit your specific needs.
How do I ensure that the contract is legally binding and enforceable?
To ensure that the contract is legally binding and enforceable, follow these steps:
- Complete all relevant sections: Make sure all blanks are filled in with accurate information.
- Include all necessary terms and conditions: Ensure that all essential elements, such as payment terms, deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities, are clearly defined.
- Signatures: Both parties must sign the contract, and it is often recommended that the contract be witnessed or notarized, depending on the legal requirements in your jurisdiction.
- Consult a legal professional: Before finalizing the contract, have it reviewed by an attorney to ensure it complies with applicable laws and protects your interests.
Ian Lauder has been helping businesses write their proposals and contracts for two decades. Ian is the owner and founder of Proposal Kit, one of the original sources of business proposal and contract software products started in 1997.By Ian Lauder
Published by Proposal Kit, Inc.Disclaimers
Proposal Kit, Inc. makes no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the suitability of any materials to the licensee's business. Proposal Kit, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for errors or inaccuracies. Licensee accepts all responsibility for the results obtained. The information included is not legal advice. Names in use cases have been fictionalized. Your use of the contract template and any purchased packages constitutes acceptance and understanding of these disclaimers and terms and conditions.


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