The use of web applications and software (even for free services) generally involves agreeing to a contract with the software/application provider. These agreements commonly take the form of “Terms of Service,” “Terms of Use,” or an “End User License Agreement.” These documents are legally binding contracts, as they demonstrate the user’s explicit consent through an affirmative action, typically by clicking “I agree” upon creation of an account or downloading an application or by proceeding with use after being presented with the terms.
As contracts, software agreements are subject to the Regents Policy (PDF) that requires all University contracts to be on forms approved by the OGC, and to be signed or accepted by a University employee with the proper Delegation of Authority.
To initiate legal review of any software or web application under $50,000, please start by completing a Contract Review Form. See the Contracts section of the OGC website for more details. Software licenses, especially low-dollar ones, can present special challenges to negotiate.