This website development agreement is between , an individuala(n) (the "Owner") and  , an individual a(n) (the "Developer").

RECITALS
The Owner is in the business of .

The Developer is engaged in the business of developing and designing websites and the Owner wishes to engage the Developer as an independent contractor for the Owner for the purpose of designing and developing the Owner's website (the "Website").

The Developer wishes to develop the Website and agrees to do so under the terms and conditions of this agreement.

The parties therefore agree as follows:

1. ENGAGEMENT; SERVICES.

  • (a) Engagement. The Owner retains the Developer to provide, and the Developer shall provide, the services described in Exhibit A (the "Services").
  • (b) Services. Without limiting the scope of Services described in Exhibit A, the Developer shall:
    • (i) perform the Services set forth in Exhibit A. However, if a conflict exists between this agreement and any term in Exhibit A, the terms in this agreement will control;
    • (ii) devote as much productive time, energy, and ability to the performance of its duties under this agreement as may be necessary to provide the required Services in a timely and productive manner;
    • (iii) perform the Services in a safe, good, and workmanlike manner by fully trained, skilled, competent, and experienced personnel using at all times adequate equipment in good working order;
    • (iv) supply all tools, equipment, and supplies required to perform the Services, except if the Developer's work must be performed on or with the Owner's equipment;
    • (v) ensure that all materials and equipment furnished to its personnel is of good and merchantable quality, unless otherwise agreed by the Owner;
    • (v)(vi) provide services (including the Services) and end products that are satisfactory and acceptable to the Owner and free of defects;
    • (vi)(vii) remove, replace, or correct all or any portion of the work or end products found defective or unsuitable, without additional cost or risk to the Owner; and 
    • (vii)(viii)  design a Website "look and feel," subject to the Owner's approval; 
    • (vii)(viii)(viii)(ix)  on completion of the content and design, assist the Owner in installation of the Website to its final location, which will include helping the Owner upload the finished files to the Owner's selected web hosting company;
    • (vii)(viii)(viii)(ix)(viii)(ix)(ix)(x) provide all HTML files and code to the Owner; and
    • (viii)(ix)(ix)(x)(ix)(x)(x)(xi) communicate with the Owner about progress it has in performing the Services.
  • (c) Legal Compliance. The Developer shall perform the Services in accordance with standards prevailing in the Owner's industry, and in accordance with applicable laws, rules, or regulations. The Developer shall obtain all permits or permissions required to comply with those standards, laws, rules, or regulations.
  • (d) Owner's Obligations. The Owner shall:
    • (i) make timely payments of amounts earned by the Developer under this agreement;
    • (ii) notify the Developer of any changes to its procedures affecting the Developer's obligations under this agreement at least 30 days before implementing those changes;
    • (iii) provide initial information, maintain any databases on the Website, and supply all content for the Website;
    • (iv) register the Website's domain name, select the web hosting company, and pay any fees associated with these activities; and
    • (v) make any changes or additions to the Owner's current systems, software, or hardware, at the Owner's own expense, that may be required to support the operation of the Website.

2. TERM AND TERMINATION.

  • (a) Term. This agreement will become effective as described in section . Unless it is terminated earlier in accordance with subsection 2(b), this agreement will continue until the Services have been satisfactorily completed and the Developer has been paid in full for those Services (the "Term")  or on the expiration of the Warranty Period as defined in subsection (a) below. However, this agreement may not remain effective for more than years.
  • (b) Termination. This agreement may be terminated: 
    • (i) by either party on provision of  days' written notice to the other party, with or without cause;
    • (ii) by either party for a material breach of any provision of this agreement by the other party, if the other party's material breach is not cured within days of receipt of written notice of the breach; or
    • (iii) by the Owner at any time and without prior notice, if the Developer  is convicted of any crime or offense, fails or refuses to comply with the written policies or reasonable directives of the Owner, or is guilty of serious misconduct in connection with performance under this agreement.; or
    • (iv) automatically, on the death of the Developer.
  • (c) Effect of Termination. After the termination of this agreement for any reason, the Owner shall promptly pay the Developer for Services rendered before the effective date of the termination. No other compensation, of any nature or type, will be payable after the termination of this agreement. The Developer shall deliver all intellectual property developed before the Termination Date under this agreement to the Owner within  days of the Termination Date.

3. COMPENSATION.

  • (a) Terms and Conditions. The Owner shall pay the Developer in accordance with Exhibit A.
  • (b) No Payments in Certain Circumstances. No payment will be payable to the Developer under any of the following circumstances:
    • (i) if prohibited under applicable government law, regulation, or policy;
    • (ii) if the Developer did not directly perform or complete the Services described in Exhibit A;
    • (iii) if the Developer did not perform the Services to the reasonable satisfaction of the Owner; or
    • (iv) if the Services performed occurred after the expiration or termination of the Term, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
  • (c) No Other Compensation. The compensation set out above and in Exhibit A will be the Developer's sole compensation under this agreement.
  • (d) Expenses. Any ordinary and necessary expenses incurred by the Developer or its staff in the performance of this agreement will be the Developer's sole responsibility.
  • (e) Taxes. The Developer is solely responsible for the payment of all income, social security, employment-related, or other taxes incurred as a result of the performance of the Services by the Developer under this agreement, and for all obligations, reports, and timely notifications relating to those taxes. The Owner has no obligation to pay or withhold any sums for those taxes.
  • (f) Other Benefits. The Developer has no claim against the Owner under this agreement or otherwise for vacation pay, sick leave, retirement benefits, social security, worker's compensation, health or disability benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, or employee benefits of any kind.

4. NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP; INVENTIONS

  • (a) Independent Contractor Status.
    • (i) The relationship of the parties under this agreement is one of independent contractors, and no joint venture, partnership, agency, employer-employee, or similar relationship is created in or by this agreement. Neither party may assume or create obligations on the other party's behalf and neither party may take any action that creates the appearance of such authority.
    • (ii) The Developer has the sole right to control and direct the means, details, manner, and method by which the Services will be performed, and the right to perform the Services at any time, place, or location. The Developer or the Developer's staff shall perform the Services, and the Owner is not required to hire, supervise, or pay any assistants to help the Developer perform those Services. The Developer shall provide insurance coverage for itself and its staff.
  • (b) Inventions Retained and Licensed. Attached as Exhibit B to this agreement is a list of all intellectual property that the Developer made before its agreement with the Owner (the "Prior Inventions") that belong to the Developer, that relate to the Owner's proposed business, products, or research and development, and that are not assigned to the Owner under this agreement. If no list is attached, the Developer represents that there are no Prior Inventions. If disclosure of a Prior Invention would cause the Developer to violate an existing confidentiality agreement, the Developer may not list the Prior Invention in Exhibit B but shall instead provide the name of the invention, a list of the party or parties to which it belongs, and an explanation of why full disclosure was not given. A space is provided in Exhibit B for this purpose. If in the course of providing services to the Owner, the Developer incorporates into an Owner product, process, or machine a Prior Invention owned by the Developer or in which the Developer has an interest, the Owner will be granted and have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use, and sell that Prior Invention as part of or in connection with that product, process, or machine.
  • (c) Owner Inventions. The Developer has no right or interest in any work or product resulting from the Services the Developer performs for the Owner, or any of the documents, reports, or other materials the Developer creates in connection with those Services (collectively, the "Owner Inventions"), and has no right to or interest in any copyright to the Owner Inventions. The Owner Inventions have been specially commissioned or ordered by the Owner as "works made-for-hire," as that term is defined in the United States Copyright Act, and the Owner is therefore the author and the owner of all copyrights in the Owner Inventions.
  • (d) Disclosure of Owner Inventions. The Developer shall promptly disclose in writing to the Owner all Owner Inventions that the Developer has authored, made, conceived, or first actually reduced to practice, alone or jointly with others.(e)Assignment of Owner Inventions. If the Owner Inventions or any parts of those are deemed not to have been works made-for-hire, the Developer hereby assigns to the Owner all interest the Developer may have in the Owner Inventions, including all copyrights, publishing rights, rights to use, reproduce, and otherwise exploit the Owner Inventions in all formats or media and all channels, whether now known or created in the future.
  • (f) Patent and Copyright Registrations.  The Developer shall assist the Owner or its designee, at the Owner's expense, to secure the Owner's rights in the Owner Inventions and any copyrights, patents, mask work rights, or other intellectual property rights relating to the Owner Inventions in all countries, including by disclosing to the Owner all pertinent information and data with respect to those, by signing all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments, and other instruments that the Owner deems necessary to apply for and obtain those rights and to assign and convey to the Owner, its successors, assigns, and nominees the exclusive interest in the Owner Inventions, and any copyrights, patents, mask work rights, or other intellectual property rights relating to those. When it is in the Developer's power to do so, the Developer shall sign or cause to be signed these instruments or papers after the termination or expiration of this agreement. If the Developer provides assistance after the termination or expiration of this agreement at the Owner's request, the Owner shall pay the Developer a reasonable rate for any time spent. If  because of the Developer's mental or physical incapacity or for any  other reason the Owner cannot secure a signature to apply for or pursue any application of any United States or foreign patents or copyright registrations covering Owner Inventions or original works of authorship assigned to the Owner, the Developer hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Owner and its duly authorized officers and agents as the Developer's agents and attorneys in fact, to act for and on behalf of the Developer to sign and file those applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patent or copyright registrations with the same legal force and effect as if they had been signed by the Developer.

5. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

  • (a) Confidentiality. During the Term, the Developer may have access to or receive certain information of or about the Owner that the Owner designates as confidential or that, under the circumstances surrounding disclosure, ought to be treated as confidential by the Developer ("Confidential Information"). Confidential Information includes information relating to the Owner or its current or proposed business, financial statements, budgets and projections, customer identifying information, potential and intended customers, employers, products, computer programs, specifications, manuals, software, analyses, strategies, marketing plans, business plans, and other confidential information, provided orally, in writing, by drawings, or by any other media. The Developer will treat the Confidential Information as confidential and will not disclose it to any third party or use it for any purpose but to fulfill its obligations in this agreement. In addition, the Developer shall use due care and diligence to prevent the unauthorized use or disclosure of such information.
  • (b) Exceptions. The obligations and restrictions in subsection (a) do not apply to that part of the Confidential Information:
    • (i) was or becomes publicly available other than as a result of a disclosure by the Developer in violation of this agreement;
    • (ii) was or becomes available to the Developer on a nonconfidential basis before its disclosure to the Developer by the Owner, but only if:
      • A. the source of such information is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Owner or is not otherwise prohibited from transmitting the information to the Developer by a contractual, legal, fiduciary, or other obligation; and
      • B. the Developer provides the Owner with written notice of its prior possession either (I) before the effective date of this
      • agreement or (II) if the Developer later becomes aware (through disclosure to the Developer) of any aspect of the Confidential
      • Information as to which the Developer had prior possession, promptly on the Developer so becoming aware;
    • (iii) is requested or legally compelled (by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, civil or criminal investigative demand, or similar processes), or is required by a regulatory body, to be disclosed. However, the Developer shall:
      • A. provide the Owner with prompt notice of these requests or requirements before making a disclosure so that the Owner may
      • seek an appropriate protective order or other appropriate remedy; and
      • B. provide reasonable assistance to the Owner in obtaining any protective order.
    • If a protective order or other remedy is not obtained or the Owner grants a waiver under this agreement, the Developer may furnish that portion (and only that portion) of the Confidential Information that, in the written opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Owner, the Developer is legally compelled or otherwise required to disclose. However, the Developer shall make reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded any part of the Confidential Information disclosed in this way; or
    • (iv) was developed by the Developer independently without breach of this agreement.
  • (c) Obligation to Maintain Confidentiality.
    • (i) Confidentiality. At all times during its work with the Owner, the Developer shall hold in strictest confidence, and not use, except for the benefit of the Owner, or disclose to any person, firm, or corporation without the prior written authorization of the Owner, any of the Owner's Confidential Information. 
  • (ii) Term. The Developer shall maintain the confidentiality and security of the Confidential Information until the earlier of: (i) the time that all Confidential Information disclosed under this agreement becomes publicly known and made generally available through no action or inaction of the Developer or (ii) the anniversary of the termination of the Developer's work with the Owner. However, to the extent that the Owner has disclosed information to the Developer that constitutes a trade secret under law, the Developer shall protect that trade secret for as long as the information qualifies as a trade secret. 
  • (d) Remedy. Money damages may not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this section by the Developer and, in addition to all other remedies, the Owner may seek (and may be entitled to) as a result of that breach, specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief as a remedy.

6. MAINTENANCE.
The Developer may access Website pages for minor maintenance for a day period (the "Maintenance Period"). The Maintenance Period begins on the date the Website is published to the Owner's hosting service or days from the Effective Date, whichever comes first. This assumes an average of one half hour per regular web page, including updating links and making minor changes to a sentence or paragraph. The Developer shall provide this maintenance to the Owner at the Developer's standard professional rate of compensation, as listed in Exhibit A. Maintenance does not include replacing nearly all text from a page with new text, major page reconstruction, new pages, guest books, discussion webs, navigation structure changes, attempted updates by Owner repairs or web design projects delivered to the Owner via FTP, CD, or diskette. Very minor page code changes are included under this section, but major page code or database structural changes will be charged at the Developer's applicable hourly rates.

7. WEBSITE WARRANTY.

  • (a) Performance. For a period of days after the delivery of the Website to the Owner (the "Warranty Period"), the Developer warrants that the Website will be free from programming errors and defects in workmanship and materials, and will conform to the specifications of Exhibit A. If programming errors or other defects are discovered during the Warranty Period, the Developer shall promptly remedy those errors or defects at its own expense. The Developer is not obligated to remedy these errors or defects unless the Owner notifies the Developer of the existence and nature of those errors or defects promptly after their discovery.
  • (b) No Disablement. The Developer warrants that the Website, when delivered or accessed by the Owner, will be free from viruses, logic locks, and other disabling devices or codes, and will contain no virus, Trojan horse, worm, drop-dead devices, trap doors, time bombs, or other software routines or other hardware components that could permit unauthorized access, disable, erase, or otherwise harm the Website or any software, hardware, or data, cause the Website or any software or hardware to perform functions other than those specified in this agreement, halt, disrupt, or degrade the operation of the Website or any software or hardware, or perform any other such actions.

8. TIMING AND DELAYS.

The Developer shall inform the Owner immediately of any anticipated delays in the delivery schedule and of any remedial actions being taken to ensure completion of the Website according to schedule. If a delivery date is missed, the Owner may, in its sole discretion, declare that delay a material breach of the agreement under subsection 2(b)(ii) and pursue all of its legal and equitable remedies. The Owner may not declare a breach and the Developer cannot be held in breach of this section if the delay is caused by an action or failure of action of the Owner. In that case, the Developer shall provide the Owner with written notice of the delay and will not continue to work on the Website until the reason for the delay has been resolved by the Owner and the Owner has provided written notice of the resolution to the Developer.

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

  • (a) No Intellectual Property Infringement by Developer. The Developer represents that the use and proposed use of the Website by the Owner or any third party does not and will not infringe, and the Developer has not received any notice, complaint, threat, or claim alleging infringement of, any trademark, copyright, patent, trade secrets, industrial design, or other rights of any third party in the Website, and the use of the Website will not include any activity that may constitute "passing off." To the extent the Website infringes on the rights of any third party, the Developer shall obtain a license or consent from that third party permitting the use of the Website.
  • (b) No Intellectual Property Infringement by Owner. The Owner represents to the Developer that any elements of text, graphics, photos, designs, trademarks, or other artwork furnished to the Developer for inclusion in the Website are owned by the Owner, or that the Owner has permission from the rightful owner to use each of these elements, and will indemnify the Developer and its subcontractors against any liability (including attorneys' fees and court costs), including any claim or suit, threatened or actual, arising from the use of such elements furnished by the Owner.
  • (c) Continuing Ownership of Existing Trademarks. The Developer recognizes the Owner's interest in all service marks, trademarks, and trade names used by the Owner and agrees not to engage in any activities or commit any acts, directly or indirectly, that may contest, dispute, or otherwise impair the Owner's right, title, and interest therein, nor shall the Developer cause diminishment of value of those trademarks or trade names through any act or representation. The Developer may not apply for, acquire, or claim any interest in those service marks, trademarks, or trade names, or others that may be confusingly similar to any of them, through advertising or otherwise. Effective as of the termination of this agreement, the Developer will stop using all of the Owner's trademarks, marks, and trade names.


10. AUTHORSHIP CREDIT.

The Developer may include a byline and link on the bottom of the Website establishing authorship credit. This byline is on agreement by both the Owner and the Developer and must be removed at any time on written request by the Developerthe Ownereither party.

11. OTHER ACTIVITIES.

During the Term, the Developer may engage in other independent contracting activities, except that the Developer may not accept work, enter into contracts, or accept obligations inconsistent or incompatible with the Developer's obligations or the scope of Services to be rendered for the Owner under this agreement.

12. RETURN OF PROPERTY.

Within  days of the expiration or earlier termination of this agreement, the Developer shall return to the Owner, retaining no copies or notes, all Owner products, samples, models, property, and documents relating to the Owner's business including reports, abstracts, lists, correspondence, information, computer files, computer disks, and other materials and copies of those materials obtained by the Developer during and in connection with its work with the Owner. All files, records, documents, blueprints, specifications, information, letters, notes, media lists, original artwork or creative work, notebooks, and similar items relating to the Owner's business,whether prepared by the Developer or by others, remain the Owner's exclusive property.

13. INDEMNIFICATION.

  • (a) Of Owner by Developer. At all times after the effective date of this agreement, the Developer shall indemnify the Owner against all damages, liabilities, expenses, claims, or judgments (including interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys' fees, accounting fees, and expert witness fees) (collectively, the "Claims") that the Owner may incur and that arise from:
    • (i) the Developer's negligence or willful misconduct arising from the Developer's carrying out of its obligations under this agreement;
    • (ii) the Developer's breach of any of its obligations or representations under this agreement; or
    • (iii) the Developer's breach of its express representation that it is an independent contractor and in compliance with all applicable laws related to work as an independent contractor. If a regulatory body or court of competent jurisdiction finds that the Developer is not an independent contractor or is not in compliance with applicable laws related to work as an independent contractor, based on the Developer's own actions, the Developer will assume full responsibility and liability for all taxes, assessments, and penalties imposed against the Developer or the Owner resulting from that contrary interpretation, including taxes, assessments, and penalties that would have been deducted from the Developer's earnings if the Developer had been on the Owner's payroll and employed as a Owner employee.
  • (b) Of Developer by Owner. At all times after the effective date of this agreement, the Owner shall indemnify the Developer against all Claims that the Developer may incur arising from:
    • (i) the Owner's operation of its business;
    • (ii) the Owner's breach or alleged breach of, or its failure or alleged failure to perform under, any agreement to which it is a party; or
    • (iii) the Owner's breach of any of its obligations or representations under this agreement. However, the Owner is not obligated to indemnify the Developer if any of these Claims result from the Developer's own actions or inactions.

14. FORCE MAJEURE.

A party will not be considered in breach or in default because of, and will not be liable to the other party for, any delay or failure to perform its obligations under this agreement by reason of fire, earthquake, flood, explosion, strike, riot, war, terrorism, or similar event beyond that party's reasonable control (each a "Force Majeure Event"). However, if a Force Majeure Event occurs, the affected party shall, as soon as practicable:

  • (a) notify the other party of the Force Majeure Event and its impact on performance under this agreement; and
  • (b) use reasonable efforts to resolve any issues resulting from the Force Majeure Event and perform its obligations under this agreement.

15. GOVERNING LAW.

  • (a) Choice of Law. The laws of the state of  govern this agreement (without giving effect to its conflicts of law principles).
  • (b) Choice of Forum. Both parties consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in , .

16. AMENDMENTS.

No amendment to this agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by a party.

17. ASSIGNMENT AND DELEGATION.

  • (a) No Assignment. Neither party may assign any of its rights under this agreement, except with the prior written consent of the other party. All voluntary assignments of rights are limited by this subsection.
  • (b) No Delegation. The Developer may not delegate any performance under this agreement, except with the prior written consent of the Owner.
  • (c) Enforceability of an Assignment or Delegation. If a purported assignment or purported delegation is made in violation of this section, it is void.

18. COUNTERPARTS; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES.

  • (a) Counterparts. The parties may execute this agreement in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original but all of which constitute one and the same instrument.
  • (b) Electronic Signatures. This agreement, agreements ancillary to this agreement, and related documents entered into in connection with this agreement are signed when a party's signature is delivered by facsimile, email, or other electronic medium. These signatures must be treated in all respects as having the same force and effect as original signatures.

19. SEVERABILITY.

If any one or more of the provisions contained in this agreement is, for any reason, held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, that invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other provisions of this agreement, but this agreement will be construed as if those invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had never been contained in it, unless the deletion of those provisions would result in such a material change so as to cause completion of the transactions contemplated by this agreement to be unreasonable.

20. NOTICES.

  • (a) Writing; Permitted Delivery Methods. Each party giving or making any notice, request, demand, or other communication required or permitted by this agreement shall give that notice in writing and use one of the following types of delivery, each of which is a writing for purposes of this agreement: personal delivery, mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return-receipt requested), nationally recognized overnight courier (fees prepaid), facsimile, or email.
  • (b) Addresses. A party shall address notices under this section to a party at the following addresses:
  • If to the Owner: 
, ,
  • If to the Developer:
, ,

21. WAIVER.

No waiver of a breach, failure of any condition, or any right or remedy contained in or granted by the provisions of this agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party waiving the breach, failure, right, or remedy. No waiver of any breach, failure, right, or remedy will be deemed a waiver of any other breach, failure, right, or remedy, whether or not similar, and no waiver will constitute a continuing waiver, unless the writing so specifies.

22. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

This agreement constitutes the final agreement of the parties. It is the complete and exclusive expression of the parties' agreement about the subject matter of this agreement. All prior and contemporaneous communications, negotiations, and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter of this agreement are expressly merged into and superseded by this agreement. The provisions of this agreement may not be explained, supplemented,or qualified by evidence of trade usage or a prior course of dealings. Neither party was induced to enter this agreement by, and neither party is relying on, any statement, representation, warranty, or agreement of the other party except those set forth expressly in this agreement. Except as set forth expressly in this agreement, there are no conditions precedent to this agreement's effectiveness.

23. HEADINGS.

The descriptive headings of the sections and subsections of this agreement are for convenience only, and do not affect this agreement's construction or interpretation.

24. EFFECTIVENESS.

This agreement will become effective when all parties have signed it. The date this agreement is signed by the last party to sign it (as indicated by the date associated with that party's signature) will be deemed the date of this agreement.

25. NECESSARY ACTS; FURTHER ASSURANCES.

Each party shall use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary or desirable to consummate and make effective the transactions this agreement contemplates or to evidence or carry out the intent and purposes of this agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

Each party is signing this agreement on the date stated opposite that party's signature.  



Date: _________________


By:__________________________________________
Name:
Title: 


Date: _________________


By:__________________________________________
Name:
Title: 





[PAGE BREAK HERE]
EXHIBIT A
SPECIFICATION SHEET

1. Required Elements. The website design will include the following sections and subsections:

2. Owner Requirements. The Owner shall provide the following items to the Developer:

3. Fees. The Owner shall pay a total amount of $ for the services, which includes:

  • (a) $ down payment.
  • (b) $ after Owner approval of the layout.
  • (c) $ after Owner acceptance of final Website.

If additional services are required, the Owner shall pay the Developer its rate of $ per hour for those services.

[PAGE BREAK HERE]

EXHIBIT B
LIST OF PRIOR INVENTIONS AND ORIGINAL WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP

1. Except as listed in section 2 below, the following is a complete list of all prior inventions that were made, conceived, or first reduced to practice by the Developer, alone or jointly with others, before his or her employment by the Owner:

add border
TitleDateIdentifying Number or Brief Description
I have no inventions or improvements to list

_____________
(Initials)
I have attached _____ additional sheets to this Exhibit B.

_____________
(Initials)

2. Because of an existing confidentiality agreement and the duties of confidentiality that the Developer owes to the parties listed below, the Developer cannot complete the disclosure in section 1 above with respect to the inventions or improvements listed generally below:

add border
Invention or ImprovementParty NamesRelationship




I have attached _____ additional sheets to this Exhibit B.

_____________
(Initials)







Date: __________________________________

By: ____________________________________

Name:

FREE
ATTORNEY-DRAFTED

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Website development agreement: How-to guide

Customers using online platforms to find services and products are on the rise. Developing and maintaining an active web presence is beneficial and essential in today's digital marketplace.  

Why do organizations need a website development agreement?

Organizations with rudimentary or confusing websites stand to lose potential customers and, consequently, thousands of dollars in sales to competitors with more polished and professional online platforms. Here, the expertise of a web developer and their development services become crucial. 

Companies intending to hire professionals such as website developers or designers, must have a well-drafted website development agreement to safeguard against significant financial pitfalls.

Why is a website development agreement beneficial?

Both the company and the developer stand to gain from an agreement that protects them from potential liabilities associated with creating a website. Such a document provides: 

  • Security and delineates each party's development, performance, ownership, and service expectations. 
  • Clarify processes from the outset
  • Instill confidence in both parties, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.

The website development agreement template provided on this page can be a good starting point for drafting an agreement to cover the development of a company's website. It can help safeguard the parties' rights during the agreement's term. You may revise or restructure specific provisions to fit your organizational goals. 

What are the key factors to consider in a website development agreement?

Mitigating Scope Creep

A common issue in website development is what is known as "scope creep." This occurs when the initial work parameters slowly expand, leading to an extensive project with extended deadlines and higher costs than initially agreed upon. Although even a well-crafted agreement can only partially prevent this, it can help the parties involved define the consequences of such expansion. For example, instead of setting fixed deadlines in the agreement, it may be more effective to tie payments to specific project goals.

Reading the agreement carefully

Many website developers have agreement forms that they would use to govern an agreement about website construction. 

These agreements are largely developer-friendly. Most significantly, the forms often provide that the developer will own the website's intellectual property rights and copyrightable elements. It's possible that the developer could make a website for your direct competition with similar business plans resembling in design and functionality. The developer can also insist that the website owners will be using it only under a worldwide license granted to them.

If a developer is insistent on using their forms and you are committed to using their services, read the agreement carefully to ensure you know your long-term rights are protected.

Deciding on the goals

Understand your goals. Ensure that it has the following apart from any other agreed-on terms:

  • A description of the specific development tasks
  • The amount to be paid
  • The terms of payment
  • Deadlines for completion
  • The implementation plan
  • Installation and acceptance tests
  • The specific end products expected (if any)

Clarify the terms and conditions of your agreement before memorializing them in writing.

Discussing the anticipated functionality and technological requirements

Discuss with the other party the anticipated functionality and technological requirements of the website. Consider, among other things, the following:

  • Developer's use of the most current technology
  • Maximum download times (inclusion of a low-graphics option)
  • Compatibility with browser software
  • The number of users who will be able to access the site at a time
  • Security safeguards
  • Integration with the company's intranet

Including the descriptions

For a comprehensive agreement, you may include descriptions of the website's purpose and goals, text content, graphic content, main page, subpage, navigation and organizational scheme, headers and footers, and features/functions/scripts.

Reviewing the document

Allow each party to review the agreement. Each party should get sufficient time to understand the terms or how those might affect the agreement.

Review the completed agreement to ensure that all relevant points have been included. To avoid misunderstandings, it is essential to state all expectations and terms explicitly in the document.

Review your state's laws for independent contractors.

Maintaining the status

A written agreement is the first step in establishing an individual's independent contractor status. Once signed, both parties must follow its terms to maintain status.

Signing the agreement

Once the agreement is drafted, the parties must sign two copies, one for each partner. 

Engaging a witness or notary (if required)

Depending on the nature of its terms, decide to have your agreement witnessed or notarized. This can limit later challenges to the validity of a party's signature. 

Contacting an attorney

If your agreement involves significant risks and complex terms, contact an attorney to help draft a document that meets your requirements. 

Understanding the clauses of the website development agreement

The provisions below will guide you through the terms of website development agreements, section by section, to help you understand the process better.

Introduction

In this section, mention the relevant details of the involved parties and, if applicable, what type of organization(s) they are (e.g., individual, corporation, partnership). The hiring party (who hires the website developer) shall be addressed as the "company," and the website developer (the party who is creating the website) is called the "developer." 

Recitals

Briefly describe the company's business here. Additionally, you must provide the date the agreement will become effective (often when signed). 

Purpose

Here, you explain why the parties are entering the agreement. This section confirms the parties' agreement that the developer will create the company's website. 

Compensation

This section explains the promise that the company will pay for the developer's services, including website development.

Term

Indicates that the agreement will last until termination of this agreement by either party or until the agreed-on services are completed.

Termination

This section outlines the specific circumstances that would result in the termination of the agreement, such as providing written notice or committing a material breach (before the services required are completed as per the agreement). Mention the notice period a party must give for an earlier termination or to notify the other party of a breach.

The parties can terminate the website development agreement if the other party breaches an obligation and does not fix this breach. In both cases, the party seeking to terminate the agreement must give prompt written notice. Mention the duration of the notice period. 

After termination, the company must pay for the services provided or completed by the developer, and the developer must return the company's intellectual property. Enter the amount of time that the developer has to return those items. 

Responsibilities

This section lists each party's responsibilities under the agreement. The developer agrees to create the website and the related services with adequate attention and care to make it successful and timely. The company agrees to test and provide regular feedback about the website as it is being constructed (at the developer's request). You can also mention any additional obligations here. 

Maintenance

This section clarifies that the agreement is for development purposes only and that the developer will not do any long-term maintenance on the site. However, the developer will be obliged to perform routine website maintenance for a certain period following the development. The company may specify the period for which the developer must conduct routine maintenance work.

If the company needs the developer for long-term maintenance, a separate agreement to govern each party's rights and responsibilities related to that work can be entered into by them.

Confidential information

This section defines confidential information for purposes of the agreement and explains how the developer will treat that information. 

  • The developer can use the information only for purposes intended by the agreement (e.g. if the company disclosed the information to help the developer complete its services, the developer can use it only for that purpose) and not for any unauthorized use.
  • The developer can only discuss the information with specific individuals in the company. 

Representations and warranties

This section mentions the parties' promises under the agreement, which means that the parties agree to enter the deal based on the conditions listed in this section. Primarily, these terms relate to each party having the legal right and ability to complete their obligations.

Warranty period duration

This section assures that the website will be defects-free for a certain agreed-upon period. However, due to the ever-changing nature of the internet and technology, the developer can only be held responsible for some website problems within this warranty period. Additionally, this section prevents the developer from concealing any hidden flaws in the website that would later require the company to rehire the developer to fix them. Both parties can agree on the duration of this warranty period.

Timing and delays

This section emphasizes the importance of adhering to the delivery schedule and completing work under the agreement by the due dates. It also mentions the consequences of failing to meet the delivery date and other deadlines.

Nature of the relationship

This section explains the relationship of the developer with the company. The relationship clause is a critical distinction for legal reasons, including requirements for health insurance coverage, liability, and taxes. The agreement clarifies the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between independent contractors and employees. It's a good idea to review the laws in your state regarding independent contractors.

No Conflict of interest

This section elaborates on the additional actions taken by the developer. The developer assures that they are not involved in any work with another company or product currently competing with the company. However, this section does not entirely prohibit the developer from engaging in other business activities. The developer can perform tasks for other companies if they do not harm the trade secret of the company or its interests.

Return of property

This section mentions that the developer must return the property once the agreement ends. It also reinforces that the documents and property given to the developer under this agreement continue to be the company's property.

Indemnification

This section outlines each party's responsibilities in case of issues arising in the future and protects them from any adverse consequences arising from the other party's negligence or intentional misconduct.

Intellectual property

This section mentions each party's promise that their property and work don't infringe on any third party's intellectual property rights. It also states that the developer will not misuse the company's trademarks or acquire a trademark that is similar to the company's. This section provides that the developer may not continue to use the company's trademarks after the agreement terminates.

Authorship credit

This optional section allows the developer to insert its name onto the website as evidence of its creation unless otherwise prohibited. Specify which party has the right to demand the removal of the name from the website.

Laws affecting electronic commerce

This optional section explains that the company will be solely responsible for any commercial taxes levied against the website. However, this is not applicable if the company doesn't sell any products on the website or has a different agreement with the developer.

Amendments

This section states that any changes to the agreement are only effective if such changes are made in writing.

Assignment

This section states that neither party may assign obligations and interests under the agreement without the other party's written consent.

Successors and assigns

This section states that the parties' rights and obligations will be passed on to heirs or, in the case of companies, successor organizations, or organizations to which rights and obligations under this agreement have been permissibly assigned.

Force majeure

This section releases a party from its obligations if its performance is made impossible by an event beyond its control despite its reasonable efforts (e.g., flood, earthquake, and more). This release is effective only if circumstances prevent that party from completing its tasks.

No implied waiver

This section states that if one party permits the other to disregard an obligation under the agreement, it doesn't waive any future rights of the other party to fulfill those or any other obligations.

Notice

This section mentions the addresses to which all official or legal correspondence should be delivered. Write the mailing address for both the company and the developer.

Governing law

This section allows the parties to choose the governing laws of the state to interpret the document. 

Counterparts; electronic signatures

This clause states that regardless of where the parties sign the agreement or how they transmit signatures (via electronic devices such as computers or fax machines), all the separate pieces will be considered part of the same agreement. This provision is beneficial today, where signing parties are often located in different cities and can't be physically present in the same room. It ensures that business can be conducted efficiently without compromising the validity of the agreement.

Severability

This protects the terms of the agreement as a whole, even if one part is later invalidated. For example, if a state law is passed prohibiting choice-of-law clauses, it will not undo the entire document. Only the section of the agreement regarding choice of law would be nullified, while the rest remains enforceable.

Entire agreement

This section confirms the parties' agreement that the document they're signing is "the agreement" about the issues involved. This provision won't prevent a party from arguing that other enforceable promises exist but will protect them from these claims.

Headings

This section explains that the headings at the beginning of each section are meant to organize the document and should not be considered operational parts of the website development agreement.

Frequently asked questions

What's a website development agreement?

Whether you aren't online, your presence could be more professional, or your site needs another update, you've made a wise decision by hiring a developer. Before they start building your new website, it's crucial to establish clear expectations regarding who will provide what, when, and for how long. Developing an agreement before developing a site can give a sense of security and peace, helping to avoid disagreements later.

What information is needed to complete a website development agreement?

Here's the information you'll need to complete a website development agreement:

  • Who the developer is: Have their name and contact information ready.
  • Who the website owner is: Have their name and contact information ready.
  • What the developer will do: Know what the developer promises to deliver and when.
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