Collaboration Agreement

Collaboration Agreement: Create a Verified Agreement

A verified collaboration agreement is a contract between two independent organisations that agree to work together on a defined project, without forming a new company or partnership. It sets out the purpose, what each party contributes, how decisions are made, who owns the results and how the collaboration ends. Robot Lawyer drafts the agreement from your answers, for the law of the country or state you choose. On the Verified plan, a legal professional checks it before you sign.

CONTENTS

What Is a Collaboration Agreement?

It is a contract for organisations that want to share skills, resources or technology for a common goal while staying independent. It is lighter than a joint venture company, but it still needs clear rules on contributions, decisions and intellectual property, because these are the issues that most often cause disputes.

When Do You Need One?

• Research and development
  Two businesses, or a business and a university, developing a new product or technology.
• Co-marketing and co-branding
  Joint campaigns, events or products.
• Charity and community projects
  Organisations pooling resources to deliver a programme.
• Creative projects
  Studios, publishers or producers working on a shared production.

What's Included in Your Agreement?

• The project
  Its purpose, scope and duration.
• Contributions
  What each party provides, such as money, staff, equipment or know-how, set out in a schedule.
• Governance
  How the project is managed and how decisions are made, with a clear route for resolving disagreements.
• Intellectual property
  Each party keeps its existing IP, and IP created in the project is owned and licensed as you agree.
• IP indemnity
  Each party stands behind its own contributions if a third party claims they infringe its rights.
• Liability and termination
  The maximum liability you choose and the notice for ending the agreement.
• Disputes
  Escalation and, where you choose it, mediation. UK only: mediation through CEDR, the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, unless you name another body.
• Optional terms
  Confidentiality, fees, extension or renewal, and non-solicitation, where you choose them.

Collaboration Agreement or Joint Venture?

• Collaboration agreement
  The parties stay separate and work together under a contract. Best for defined projects.
• Joint venture
  Often involves setting up a new company owned by the parties. Best for long-term or larger ventures. See our Joint Venture Agreement.

Your agreement states that nothing creates a partnership, so neither party is liable for the other's debts.

How It Works on Robot Lawyer

1. Answer the questions
   Tell us about the parties, the project, the contributions and how decisions will be made.
2. Generate your agreement
   We draft a complete collaboration agreement with a schedule of contributions.
3. Get it verified
   On the Verified plan, a qualified legal professional checks the agreement within 24 hours and makes amendments where needed. See how our documents are verified.
4. Sign and start the project
   Both parties sign before the collaboration begins.

Collaboration Agreement FAQs

Who owns IP created during a collaboration?

Whatever you agree. If the agreement says nothing, ownership can be uncertain, which is why your agreement deals with it expressly.

Is a collaboration agreement legally binding?

Yes, once both parties sign it. It creates enforceable obligations, so make sure the contributions and deadlines are ones each party can meet.

How do we resolve disagreements?

Your agreement sets out an escalation route, with time limits at each stage, and mediation or another method you choose.

Can either party leave the collaboration?

Yes. Your agreement sets a notice period for ending it and explains what happens to contributions and results when it ends.

Create a Verified Collaboration Agreement

Work together with clear rules from the start. Related documents: Joint Venture Agreement, Partnership Agreement, Non-Disclosure Agreement and Joint Development Agreement.