tiktok³ÉÈ˰æ

Software Development Retainer Agreement Template for Canada

Create a bespoke document in minutes,  or upload and review your own.

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

Let's create your Software Development Retainer Agreement

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get your first 2 documents free

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Key Requirements PROMPT example:

Software Development Retainer Agreement

"I need a Software Development Retainer Agreement for my fintech startup based in Ontario, Canada, with strict data security provisions and specific terms for handling financial data, planning to engage a development team starting March 2025."

Document background
The Software Development Retainer Agreement is essential for businesses seeking to establish a long-term, reliable software development relationship in the Canadian market. This document is particularly valuable when clients require regular, ongoing software development services with predictable availability and pricing. It addresses key aspects such as resource allocation, service levels, intellectual property rights, and confidentiality obligations, all within the framework of Canadian federal and provincial laws. The agreement is structured to provide flexibility while ensuring clear commitments from both parties, making it ideal for projects requiring consistent development support rather than one-off engagements. It includes specific provisions for compliance with Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA), electronic commerce regulations, and intellectual property protection, while establishing clear parameters for the retainer relationship.
Suggested Sections

1. Parties: Identification of the service provider and client, including full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Context of the agreement and brief description of the parties' business relationship

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement including 'Services', 'Deliverables', 'Intellectual Property', 'Confidential Information'

4. Scope of Services: Description of the software development services covered under the retainer

5. Retainer Terms: Details of the retainer arrangement including minimum hours, rollover provisions, and service availability

6. Payment and Billing: Retainer fee structure, payment schedule, expenses, and invoicing procedures

7. Service Level Requirements: Response times, availability, and performance standards

8. Intellectual Property Rights: Ownership and licensing of developed software, existing IP, and third-party components

9. Confidentiality: Protection of confidential information and trade secrets

10. Data Protection and Privacy: Compliance with privacy laws and data handling procedures

11. Warranties and Representations: Guarantees regarding service quality, compliance with laws, and authority to contract

12. Limitation of Liability: Caps on liability and exclusions of certain types of damages

13. Term and Termination: Duration of agreement, renewal terms, and termination provisions

14. General Provisions: Standard legal clauses including governing law, notices, and assignment

Optional Sections

1. Non-Solicitation: Prevents parties from hiring each other's employees or contractors - include when working with larger organizations

2. Source Code Escrow: Provisions for source code storage with third party - include for business-critical applications

3. Change Control Process: Formal procedure for managing changes to scope or requirements - include for complex projects

4. Service Credits: Compensation mechanism for missed service levels - include when specific performance metrics are crucial

5. Disaster Recovery: Procedures for handling system failures and data recovery - include for mission-critical systems

6. Insurance Requirements: Specific insurance coverage requirements - include for high-value or high-risk projects

7. Security Requirements: Specific security standards and compliance requirements - include when handling sensitive data

8. Acceptance Testing: Detailed testing and acceptance procedures - include for complex deliverables

Suggested Schedules

1. Schedule A - Services Description: Detailed description of software development services and methodologies

2. Schedule B - Service Levels: Detailed service level metrics and measurement criteria

3. Schedule C - Rate Card: Hourly rates for different resource types and overtime rates

4. Schedule D - Key Personnel: List of key team members and their roles

5. Schedule E - Technical Requirements: Specific technical standards and requirements

6. Appendix 1 - Change Request Form: Template for requesting and documenting changes

7. Appendix 2 - Security Policies: Detailed security procedures and requirements

8. Appendix 3 - Acceptance Test Criteria: Specific criteria for accepting deliverables

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ tiktok³ÉÈ˰æ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Relevant legal definitions







































Clauses
































Relevant Industries

Technology

Information Technology

Software Development

Professional Services

Digital Services

E-commerce

Financial Services

Healthcare Technology

Manufacturing Technology

Retail Technology

Educational Technology

Government Technology

Telecommunications

Relevant Teams

Legal

Procurement

Information Technology

Software Development

Engineering

Operations

Compliance

Finance

Project Management Office

Vendor Management

Risk Management

Information Security

Relevant Roles

Chief Technology Officer

IT Director

Software Development Manager

Legal Counsel

Contract Manager

Procurement Manager

Project Manager

Technical Program Manager

Chief Information Officer

VP of Engineering

Software Development Lead

Technical Director

Operations Manager

Chief Legal Officer

IT Procurement Specialist

Vendor Relations Manager

Industries










Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Development Agreement Between Landowner And Developer

A Canadian-law governed agreement between landowner and developer establishing terms and conditions for property development projects.

find out more

Construction Development Agreement

A Canadian legal agreement governing the relationship between developer and contractor for construction projects, outlining project scope, terms, and obligations under relevant provincial and federal laws.

find out more

Property Development Contract

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for property development projects, including construction specifications, timelines, and compliance requirements.

find out more

Business Development Contract

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for business development services, including performance metrics, compensation, and mutual obligations.

find out more

Software Outsourcing Contract

Canadian-law governed agreement for outsourcing software development services, defining terms between client and service provider.

find out more

Joint Venture Software Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing a joint venture between parties for collaborative software development, defining rights, responsibilities, and operational parameters.

find out more

Joint Venture Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for parties to jointly undertake and manage a property development project through a joint venture structure.

find out more

Custom Software Development Contract

A Canadian-law governed agreement for custom software development services, defining terms between developer and client including project scope, deliverables, and IP rights.

find out more

Agreement For Website Development And Hosting

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for website development and hosting services, including technical specifications, responsibilities, and compliance requirements.

find out more

Predevelopment Agreement

A Canadian legal agreement establishing rights and obligations for preliminary development activities, including feasibility studies and regulatory approvals.

find out more

Supplementary Development Agreement

A Canadian legal document that modifies or extends an existing development agreement, incorporating new terms and conditions for property development projects.

find out more

Software Development Retainer Agreement

Canadian-law governed agreement establishing a retainer relationship between a software development provider and client, outlining ongoing development services and obligations.

find out more

Joint Technology Development Agreement

Canadian-law agreement for collaborative technology development between multiple parties, covering IP rights, resource sharing, and project management.

find out more

Builder Developer Agreement

A Canadian law-governed agreement between developers and builders establishing terms and responsibilities for construction projects.

find out more

Software Application Development Agreement

Canadian-law governed agreement for custom software application development services, defining project scope, deliverables, and mutual obligations.

find out more

Supplier Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for supplier-led product or service development, including IP rights, acceptance criteria, and commercial terms.

find out more

Real Estate Development Term Sheet

A Canadian jurisdiction document outlining key terms and conditions for a proposed real estate development project, serving as a framework for subsequent definitive agreements.

find out more

Software Co Development Agreement

Canadian-law governed agreement for collaborative software development between multiple parties, addressing IP rights, development methodology, and project management.

find out more

Property Development Partnership Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing a partnership between parties for property development purposes, outlining rights, responsibilities, and profit-sharing arrangements.

find out more

Non Disclosure Agreement Game Development

Canadian-law compliant NDA for protecting confidential information in game development, including source code, creative assets, and business strategies.

find out more

Master Development And Supply Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for product development and ongoing supply arrangements between parties, including development specifications, IP rights, and operational requirements.

find out more

Joint Venture Agreement Between Builder And Landowner

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing a partnership between a builder and landowner for property development, defining contributions, responsibilities, and profit-sharing arrangements.

find out more

Development License Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement granting rights to use and develop licensed technology, including development terms, IP rights, and commercial conditions.

find out more

Development And Manufacturing Agreement

A Canadian law-governed agreement establishing terms for product development and manufacturing services, including technical specifications, quality requirements, and operational procedures.

find out more

Real Estate Development Partnership Agreement

Canadian-law governed agreement establishing partnership terms for real estate development projects, including capital structure, management, and development obligations.

find out more

Real Estate Development Contract

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for real estate development projects, defining rights and obligations of all involved parties.

find out more

Joint Venture Agreement For Development Of Land

A Canadian law-governed agreement establishing a joint venture between parties for land development purposes, outlining rights, responsibilities, and profit-sharing arrangements.

find out more

Prototype Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for prototype development, including specifications, deliverables, and IP rights.

find out more

Master Developer Agreement

A Canadian-law governed master agreement establishing terms for ongoing software development services between a developer and client.

find out more

Software Development Subcontractor Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement defining terms for software development subcontracting services, including work scope, IP rights, and delivery requirements.

find out more

Joint Development Agreement Between Landowner And Builder

A Canadian-law governed agreement between landowner and builder establishing terms and conditions for joint property development.

find out more

Film Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement outlining terms and conditions for film project development, including rights, funding, and deliverables.

find out more

Development Rights Agreement

A Canadian legal agreement establishing terms and conditions for property development rights, including regulatory compliance and development parameters.

find out more

Development Lease Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement combining lease terms with development rights, enabling tenants to develop or modify leased property while establishing construction and compliance requirements.

find out more

Performance And Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing employee performance metrics and professional development commitments, including evaluation criteria and development goals.

find out more

Market Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for market development activities, including territorial rights, performance obligations, and compensation structure.

find out more

Development Partnership Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for collaborative development projects between partners, including IP rights, resource sharing, and project governance.

find out more

Development And Supply Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for product development and subsequent supply arrangements, including technical specifications and commercial terms.

find out more

Software Development And License Agreement

Canadian-law governed agreement for custom software development services and licensing, covering development, delivery, and usage terms.

find out more

Development Funding Agreement

A Canadian-law agreement establishing terms for project funding, including disbursement conditions, milestones, and obligations of funders and developers.

find out more

Software Development And Maintenance Agreement

Canadian-law governed agreement for software development and maintenance services, defining development scope, deliverables, and ongoing support obligations.

find out more

Product Collaboration Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for collaborative product development between multiple parties, including IP rights, revenue sharing, and operational responsibilities.

find out more

Joint Product Development Agreement

Canadian-law governed agreement for collaborative product development, addressing IP rights, development process, and commercialization terms.

find out more

Research And Development Contract

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for R&D activities, including IP rights, confidentiality, and research scope.

find out more

Mutual Development Agreement

A Canadian law-governed agreement establishing terms for collaborative development between multiple parties, covering project scope, IP rights, and operational framework.

find out more

Customer Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement for custom software or technology development services between a service provider and customer.

find out more

Technology Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for technology development services, including IP rights, development scope, and delivery requirements.

find out more

Independent Contractor Agreement Software Development

Canadian-law governed agreement for engaging independent software development contractors, defining services, IP rights, and contractual obligations.

find out more

Development Fee Agreement

A Canadian legal agreement establishing development charges and payment terms between developers and municipal authorities for new development projects.

find out more

Software Development Partnership Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for a partnership between entities collaborating on software development projects.

find out more

Site Development Agreement

A Canadian legal agreement governing property development rights and obligations between developers, owners, and local authorities.

find out more

Master Service Agreement Software Development

A Canadian-law governed master agreement establishing terms for ongoing software development services between provider and client.

find out more

Joint Software Development Agreement

A Canadian-law agreement governing collaborative software development between multiple parties, establishing rights, responsibilities, and project parameters.

find out more

Software Development Outsourcing Agreement

Canadian-law governed agreement for outsourcing software development services, establishing terms, conditions, and obligations between client and development service provider.

find out more

Forward Funding Agreement

A Canadian legal agreement where a funder commits to purchase and provide construction funding for a development project, governed by federal and provincial laws.

find out more

Co Development Agreement

A Canadian law-governed agreement establishing terms for collaborative development between parties, including IP rights, resources, and project governance.

find out more

Incentive Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing performance-based compensation terms between employer and employee, including metrics, calculations, and payment conditions.

find out more

Game Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement setting terms and conditions for video game development, including project scope, IP rights, and deliverables.

find out more

Research And Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for collaborative research and development activities, including IP rights, confidentiality, and project parameters.

find out more

Custom Software Development Agreement

Canadian-law governed agreement for custom software development services, establishing terms between developer and client with IP, privacy, and provincial law compliance.

find out more

Agile Software Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement for Agile software development services, establishing terms between developers and clients with focus on iterative development and flexible scope management.

find out more

Project Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for project development, including scope, timeline, and obligations of all parties involved.

find out more

Product Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms for product development, including specifications, IP rights, milestones, and quality standards.

find out more

Software Developer Contract

Canadian-law governed employment agreement for software developers, covering employment terms, IP rights, and professional obligations.

find out more

Website Development Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement setting out terms and conditions for website development services, including scope, deliverables, and legal obligations.

find out more

Web Development Contract

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for web development services, including scope, deliverables, and legal obligations.

find out more

Software Development Contract

A Canadian-law governed agreement for software development services, defining project specifications, deliverables, and legal obligations between developers and clients.

find out more

Joint Development Agreement

A Canadian law-governed agreement establishing terms for collaborative development between multiple parties, including IP rights, resources, and commercialization.

find out more

Development Management Agreement

A Canadian-law governed agreement establishing the terms and conditions between a property owner/developer and development manager for managing development projects.

find out more

Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal

By providing your email address you are consenting to our Privacy Notice.
Thank you for downloading our whitepaper. This should arrive in your inbox shortly. In the meantime, why not jump straight to a section that interests you here: /our-research
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security

You retain IP ownership of your documents

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it

Innovation in privacy:

Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London

Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts

Want to know more?

Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.