Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 05 NOVEMBER 2013

A Practical Guide To Software License Agreements: Source Code Escrow Arrangements

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Contributor
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

With over 750 lawyers, intellectual property agents and other professionals, BLG services...

View firm profile
Explore more from Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Software license agreements often include a source code escrow arrangement that allows the customer to access and use source code for the licensed software if specific events occur.

CanadaMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Bradley Freedman
Bradley Freedman
Author LinkedIn connections

Software license agreements often include a source code escrow arrangement that allows the customer to access and use source code for the licensed software if specific events occur. If a customer requires the self-help remedy that source code can provide, then the customer should request and properly administer an appropriate source code escrow arrangement.

OBJECT CODE AND SOURCE CODE

A computer program is usually written in a programming language (e.g. C++ or Java) that can be read, understood and modified by knowledgeable programmers. The resulting version of the computer program is known as "source code", and is converted ("compiled") into machine language format, known as "object code" or "machine code", which can be installed and run on a computer. Object code is not easily read or understood by programmers and is difficult to modify. Consequently, in most circumstances programmers must have access to a computer program's source code and related materials

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Driverless Taxis Set To Hit The Streets Of Toronto

Waymo's autonomous robotaxis are coming to Toronto by 2028, marking the company's first international expansion. As driverless vehicles prepare to navigate Canadian winters and city streets, questions emerge about safety records, insurance liability, regulatory frameworks, and how self-driving technology will adapt to snow, ice, and complex urban conditions that differ dramatically from their Arizona origins.
CanadaMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Gluckstein Lawyers
Gluckstein Lawyers
Article

Fall Forecast: What To Watch In Canada’s Communications Sector

Canada's broadcasting, telecommunications, and satellite industries face significant regulatory changes this fall as Parliament advances key legislation. From the CRTC's implementation of the Online Streaming Act amid U.S. trade tensions to new lawful access requirements for service providers and the establishment of Canada's first space launch framework, these developments will reshape operational requirements across the communications sector.
CanadaMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Article

From Duties To Import Bans: The Canada–U.S. Tariff War After The Collapse Of Negotiations

The United States has escalated its trade dispute with Canada by imposing import bans on alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and motorcycles under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, while Canada responds with matched counter-tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods. Following the collapse of bilateral negotiations in August 2026, both nations have entered an unprecedented phase of trade restrictions that extends beyond traditional tariffs to include procurement exclusions and threatens further auto
GlobalInternational Law
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Article

New AI Safety Standard Relevant To Canadian School Boards

A major U.S. vendor agreement has established a rigorous new AI safety standard for educational technology, prohibiting the use of student data for AI training and enforcing strict data minimization. While the standard does not directly bind vendors in Canada, Canadian school boards can leverage this precedent to demand equivalent contractual protections and strengthen their own AI governance frameworks.
CanadaTechnology
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Article

BLG At The SCC – What’s Coming In The Supreme Court’s Fall 2026 Sitting Schedule

The Supreme Court of Canada held its second annual ceremony marking the opening of the judicial year at its temporary home in the West Memorial Building, with Chief Justice highlighting the Court's increased caseload and architectural features. What significant constitutional and legal challenges will the Court address in its fall 2026 session, including cases on firearm regulations, Crown immunity, and vicarious liability?
CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Article

A New Structure Enters The Ring: CIRO’s Incorporated Approved Person Compensation Proposal

The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization’s (CIRO) proposed Incorporated Approved Person model could materially change how client-facing advisors structure their businesses and receive compensation with significant impacts to sponsoring firms. The proposed rule amendments, published on July 9, 2026, would introduce a harmonized incorporated compensation option for client-facing Approved Persons across CIRO regulated dealers. Comments are due November 6, 2026.
CanadaFinance and Banking
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP