A software evaluation agreement is an ideal way to protect your intellectual property while letting potential clients have a “trial” or “test” period through a license to evaluate whether your software is the right solution for them.
This is an example of risk reversal that often increases conversion rates because prospects are more inclined to buy if they’ve had an opportunity to check out software before committing to make a purchase and using it long term.
Your software lawyer will have recommendations on how to customize your software license agreement to protect legal rights. Here are some key issues that your software evaluation agreement can cover…
1. How long is the trial period? Will the license expire after 30 days, 60 days, or some other time frame?
2. Will the evaluation period be a “freebie” or will you charge a nominal fee for use? If a fee is involved, how much?
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3. Is the evaluation copy of your software the full version or a demo copy that has restrictions, such as disabled features?
4. Can competitors obtain an evaluation copy of your software?
5. How will you stop use of the software at the end of the evaluation period?
6. Where and how will disputes be resolved?
7. How many users are permitted per evaluation copy?
Remember that there’s no correct answer to these questions. Some of them, in fact, are a matter of business judgment.
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Of course, you should discuss these issues with your software lawyer, reach a decision on the best course of action, and have him draft a software evaluation agreement that truly meets your business and legal needs.
If you’d like to speak with Software Lawyer Mike Young about getting a software evaluation agreement, a different type of software license agreement, or having an existing agreement revised, you’ll want to schedule a telephone consultation today.
