> Source: https://developer.law/knowledge · Last updated 2026-08-13

Knowledge

# Software contracts, in plain English.

Real-lawyer-written explanations of the legal concepts every software development agency and freelance developer should know.

![Light bulb illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/light-bulb.png)

Knowledge

## The clauses that decide whether you get paid.

We think legal information should be free. These are real-lawyer explanations of the terms that show up in every software development agreement — written by people who've been on both sides of them.

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![Terminal with a plug illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/plug-terminal.svg)

### Software Agency Contracts

](https://developer.law/knowledge/software-agency-contracts)[

![Repository illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/repository.png)

### What's background technology?

](https://developer.law/knowledge/what-is-background-technology)[

![Magnifying glass illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/magnifying-glass.png)

### What's an MSA?

](https://developer.law/knowledge/what-is-an-msa)[

![Task checklist illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/sow.png)

### What's an SOW?

](https://developer.law/knowledge/what-is-an-sow)[

![Checkmark stamp illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/checkmark-stamp.png)

### What's acceptance?

](https://developer.law/knowledge/what-is-acceptance)[

![Shovel illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/shovel.png)

### What's IP?

](https://developer.law/knowledge/what-is-ip)[

![Sealed contract illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/msa.png)

### Acceptance criteria & sign-off clauses

](https://developer.law/knowledge/acceptance-criteria-and-sign-off-clauses)[

![Contract with a shield and checkmark illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/contract-shield.svg)

### Software development contract guide

](https://developer.law/knowledge/software-development-contract-guide)[

![ID badge with a checkmark illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/id-badge-check.svg)

### Hiring developers guide

](https://developer.law/knowledge/hiring-developers-guide)[

![Shield with a clock illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/shield-clock.svg)

### Software warranty periods

](https://developer.law/knowledge/software-warranty-periods)[

![Code key illustration](https://developer.law/images/knowledge/code-key.svg)

### Work for hire vs. code licensing

](https://developer.law/knowledge/work-for-hire-vs-code-licensing)