Independent Contractor Agreement for Software Developer: What to Include (Customizable Template)

Introduction

As a Software Developer, having a clear Independent Contractor Agreement is vital for your projects. It helps you manage multi-phase work, set clear approvals, and ensure seamless handoffs. If you want to take a proactive step in protecting your rights, customize your Independent Contractor Agreement now.

Legal Terms: What Matters Most for Software Developers

IP Ownership

• Ownership Upon Payment: Establish that the client only owns the IP rights once payment is completed. This protects your interests while providing clarity.
• AI Models: Ensure your work is not fed into AI models without your permission, retaining control over your creations.
• Attribution: Recommend retaining the right to attribute your work on your portfolio, especially important for future opportunities.

Revision Limits, Acceptance, and Payment Milestones

• Revision Caps: Set limits on revisions to manage expectations and workload effectively.
• Acceptance Criteria: Define clear criteria for what constitutes acceptance of the work, helping to reduce misunderstandings.
• Milestone Schedule: Create a simple milestone payment schedule to ensure timely payment as stages are completed.

Scope Creep and Change Orders

• Change Order Triggers: Define clear triggers that warrant change orders to keep scope creep in check.
• Pricing Guidance: Offer guidance on how changes will affect costs, making it easier to negotiate adjustments.
• Schedule Impact: Address how changes will affect the timeline, so clients are aware of potential delays.

Other Helpful Clauses for Software Developers

• Limitation of Liability: This safeguards you from potential claims beyond a certain limit, ensuring you are not overly exposed.
• Confidentiality: A confidentiality clause helps protect sensitive information exchanged during the project, building trust with your clients.

How Counsel Club Helps

Counsel Club re-imagines legal for startups, freelancers, and creative entrepreneurs. Our platform allows you to search for lawyer-drafted forms for startups, freelancers, content creators, and other creative entrepreneurs. Our platform guides you through modifications, both to the contract and the scope of work. Counsel Club has the most sophisticated drafting tool on the market, and it was designed and developed by lawyers. If you want more help, reach out to a Counsel Club lawyer through our Concierge program. Our legal agent, Amicus, was trained on proprietary legal data to be your best legal assistant. Finally, legal for today, that is fast, protective, and cost effective.

Questions to Ask Amicus

• What rights do I have to my work if the project is canceled?
• How should I handle revisions if the client asks for changes after acceptance?
• What steps can I take if there are disputes over the scope of work?

Closing CTA

Ready to protect your work and manage your projects effectively? Create your Independent Contractor Agreement and pair it with Statements of Work today. Customize your Independent Contractor Agreement now.