This course provides a deep dive into the legal, regulatory, and commercial dimensions of technology contracts, focusing on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), cloud computing, and software licensing arrangements. Participants will explore contract structures, negotiation strategies, risk allocation, and compliance considerations governing digital technology services. The course emphasizes how to draft, interpret, and manage technology agreements that protect intellectual property, data, and business interests in an evolving digital ecosystem. Through real-world case studies, group exercises, and simulation activities, participants will gain practical skills to negotiate and execute robust and enforceable technology contracts aligned with global standards.
Secure enrollment • Professional certificate included
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Understand the legal and regulatory framework governing SaaS, cloud computing, and licensing agreements.
Draft and negotiate technology contracts that balance innovation, compliance, and commercial value.
Identify and mitigate contractual risks relating to data protection, security, liability, and service continuity.
Distinguish between key contract models—SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and software licensing—and their legal implications.
Apply best practices in contract negotiation, vendor management, and dispute resolution.
Align technology contracts with cybersecurity, privacy, and IP compliance requirements.
Course Content
Module 1: Introduction to Technology Contracting and Digital Law Key Study Areas: Fundamentals of technology law and digital transformation Legal principles governing software and service delivery models Contractual relationships in SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS models Understanding the lifecycle of a technology contract Case Studies: Evolution of SaaS and cloud models in commercial contracting Legal disputes arising from unclear service model definitions Activities: Group discussion: Identifying key stakeholders and legal roles in a cloud services deal Mapping exercise: Lifecycle of a SaaS contract from negotiation to termination Module 2: Software Licensing Agreements – Structure, Types, and Legal Implications Key Study Areas: Types of licenses: proprietary, open-source, enterprise, and subscription-based License scope, restrictions, and renewal terms Intellectual property ownership and infringement issues International licensing and export control considerations Case Studies: Licensing conflict in open-source software integration Patent infringement dispute in software distribution Activities: Contract drafting workshop: Drafting a standard software license agreement Scenario analysis: Assessing compliance in a multi-jurisdictional licensing deal Module 3: SaaS Agreements – Legal, Commercial, and Compliance Dimensions Key Study Areas: SaaS contract structure and essential clauses Service levels, uptime guarantees, and maintenance obligations Data protection, confidentiality, and data ownership in SaaS models Termination rights, liability caps, and indemnity Case Studies: Breach of SLA and customer compensation in a SaaS platform outage SaaS vendor liability for data loss due to system migration error Activities: orkshop: Reviewing and redlining a SaaS agreement Mock negotiation: Setting SLA metrics between provider and customer Module 4: Cloud Computing Contracts and Risk Management Key Study Areas: Cloud service delivery models and risk allocation Multi-tenancy and data localization issues Security, compliance, and audit obligations in cloud contracts Vendor lock-in, exit strategies, and data migration provisions Case Studies: Cloud service provider breach and regulatory investigation Contractual liability in a shared infrastructure outage Activities: Group exercise: Drafting a data migration clause for a cloud contract Simulation: Assessing risk exposure in a cross-border cloud deal Module 5: Data Protection, Cybersecurity, and Regulatory Compliance in Tech Contracts Key Study Areas: Overview of global data protection frameworks (GDPR, CCPA, etc.) Data processing agreements (DPAs) and cross-border data transfers Cybersecurity standards and regulatory compliance obligations Legal implications of data breaches and incident reporting Case Studies: GDPR non-compliance penalty in a SaaS contract Data breach litigation and contractual liability assessment Activities: Risk mapping: Identifying compliance obligations in a SaaS vendor agreement Drafting task: Creating a compliant data processing addendum (DPA) Module 6: Intellectual Property Rights in Technology Transactions Key Study Areas: IP ownership and licensing in cloud and SaaS environments Protecting source code, trade secrets, and APIs Joint development agreements and IP assignment clauses Managing IP infringement risks and indemnity Case Studies: Dispute over ownership of jointly developed software Copyright claim in SaaS customization agreement Activities: Drafting exercise: Writing IP ownership and indemnity clauses Discussion: Managing IP risks in outsourced technology projects Module 7: Contract Negotiation and Vendor Management Strategies Key Study Areas: Negotiation dynamics and stakeholder management Balancing commercial interests and legal protection Managing third-party vendors and subcontractors Key performance indicators (KPIs) and escalation procedures Case Studies: Failed cloud migration due to inadequate vendor oversight Successful renegotiation of SaaS terms after a merger Activities: Role-play: Negotiating SLA and liability clauses between vendor and customer Group project: Developing a vendor management and monitoring framework Module 8: Dispute Resolution and Enforcement in Technology Contracts Key Study Areas: Common causes of disputes in SaaS and licensing agreements Choice of law, arbitration, and jurisdiction clauses Remedies for breach and contract termination Litigation and enforcement of cross-border technology contracts Case Studies: Arbitration over wrongful termination of SaaS contract Enforcement of foreign judgments in tech disputes Activities: Mock arbitration session: Resolving a SaaS breach dispute Workshop: Drafting an effective dispute resolution clause Module 9: Emerging Legal Issues in Technology Transactions Key Study Areas: AI, blockchain, and smart contracts: legal challenges Digital sovereignty and regulatory evolution Cloud outsourcing and public sector contracting Environmental and sustainability aspects in tech contracting Case Studies: Smart contract dispute under blockchain environment AI licensing deal and liability for automated decision-making Activities: Brainstorming: Legal frameworks for emerging tech contracts Policy exercise: Drafting regulatory guidelines for cloud procurement Module 10: Capstone – Drafting, Negotiation, and Presentation Workshop Key Study Areas: Integrative application of SaaS, cloud, and licensing principles Structuring hybrid agreements involving multiple technologies Legal risk assessment and compliance audit Case Studies: Comprehensive case involving SaaS licensing with cloud infrastructure Cross-border tech collaboration and compliance audit scenario Activities: Group project: Drafting a full SaaS/cloud licensing agreement Simulation: Contract negotiation and presentation to mock board panel
Who Should Attend
This training is designed for in-house counsel, IT and technology lawyers, contract managers, procurement officers, and compliance professionals involved in negotiating or managing technology agreements. It is also suitable for SaaS and cloud service providers, software vendors, business development executives, and project managers who oversee digital transformation and technology sourcing initiatives. Policymakers, regulators, and consultants in the tech and legal sectors will also benefit from this program’s practical and strategic insights.
