What is source code escrow? What is a source code escrow agreement?
Software escrow means deposit of the source code of the software into an account held by a third party escrow agent. Escrow is typically requested by a party licensing software (the “licensee”), to ensure maintenance of the software. The software source code is released to the licensee if the licensor files for bankruptcy or otherwise fails to maintain and update the software as promised in the software license agreement.
What are object code and source code? Object code is the software’s programming code translated into machine-readable form, zeros and ones, which humans cannot understand and when compiled forms source code. The form of the code which humans write and understand is called source code.
A Source Code Escrow Agreement is an agreement between the software owner, the party receiving the license and the escrow agent. As it is a three-way agreement, negotiations can some times be difficult.
Click for an article covering more information on the clauses and these contracts in detail as well as forms to cover these situations.
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