The paperwork underneath.
WHAT AGREEMENTS YOU NEED
Terms of service A privacy notice A data processing agreement Any service level commitment
WHAT TERMS SHOULD COVER
What the service is Payment and renewal Acceptable use Limitation of liability Termination and what follows Governing law
WHY LIABILITY LIMITS MATTER MOST
Unlimited exposure on a modest subscription is not a sensible trade.
WHAT TO STATE ABOUT DATA ON TERMINATION
That it can be exported, for a stated period, and then deleted.
WHAT A PRIVACY NOTICE MUST DO
Describe what is collected, why, and who it is shared with, accurately.
WHY ACCURATELY
It is a representation, and inaccuracy is actionable.
WHAT ENTITY QUESTIONS ARISE
Where the business is registered Whether customers require a particular jurisdiction What that means for tax
WHAT TAX QUESTIONS ARISE
Where you are liable Whether you must charge tax on subscriptions Obligations in customers' jurisdictions
WHY THAT LAST ONE MATTERS
Selling to other countries can create obligations there.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Your position, with an accountant familiar with cross-border software sales.
WHAT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REQUIRES
Ownership of everything contributors produced, in writing.
WHAT TO NEVER USE
Templates copied from another company without review.
