Agreement for Development of Software to Specifications

Computer software is often developed to meet the end user's special requirements. Although designed to the customer's specifications, the underlying copyrights and patents, as well as any trade secrets embodied in the software design, are the developer's property unless the developer is prepared to transfer these rights to the end user, which rarely happens. The customer's sole protection against the developer licensing the software to others is to ensure that for a specified time the developer will not license the software for a competitive use. The developer will want to make certain that its copyright, patent, and trade secrets are protected through a confidentiality agreement that is part of the development contract.

Software is often developed by independent programmers for publishers. If the programmer is unwilling to transfer the programmer's rights in the software to the publisher, the publisher must insist on an exclusive license to reproduce and distribute the program for a lengthy period.

This form is a generic example that may be referred to when preparing such a form for your particular state. It is for illustrative purposes only. Local laws should be consulted to determine any specific requirements for such a form in a particular jurisdiction.