Software and data
API license agreement template
API licence agreement: An API licence agreement sets the terms on which developers or partners may access an API, including usage limits, fees, data use and attribution.
Upload yours for a review and e-signature, or save it as a team template.
Start freeWhen to use an API licence agreement
- Opening an API to partners
- Selling data or functionality through an API
- Integrations with marketplaces and platforms
API license agreement template: clause-by-clause outline
Sample starting wording for each clause. Replace the text in [brackets] with your details.
Access
The Provider grants the Developer a non-exclusive, revocable licence to access the API using the issued credentials.
Rate limits
Use is limited to [requests] per [minute/day]. The Provider may throttle excess use.
Fees
API calls above the free tier are charged at [rate] per [1,000] requests.
Data use
The Developer may use API data only to provide its application to end users and will not resell or scrape it.
Security
The Developer will keep credentials secret and notify the Provider of any compromise.
Changes
The Provider may change or retire API versions with [90] days’ notice.
What to check before you sign
- How much notice is given before breaking changes?
- May you cache or store API data?
- What happens to your integration if the API is retired?
How to send an API licence agreement for e-signature
- Draft or upload it. Use the outline above with your own wording, upload an existing document, or save it as your organisation’s template.
- Check it against your playbook. Points outside your positions are flagged, and approval rules route it to Legal when needed.
- Send it by email. Signers get a plain-language review and a secure link, sign on any device in the order you set, and can suggest changes as tracked changes.
- Keep the signed PDF. Everyone receives it with a certificate of completion, and key dates go to Upcoming with reminders.
API license agreement template: frequently asked questions
Can an API provider shut off access?
Usually yes, under its terms. Negotiate notice periods and deprecation timelines if you depend on the API.
Are API terms the same as a SaaS agreement?
They overlap, but API terms focus on developer use, rate limits and data use rights.
Is an electronically signed API licence agreement legally binding?
In most countries, yes. E-signatures are recognised for commercial contracts under laws such as the ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS (EU), the Electronic Communications Act (UK) and the Information Technology Act (India). econtracts.ai adds a certificate of completion with each signer’s identity check and a fingerprint of the signed content.
Can I get an API licence agreement I received reviewed?
Yes. Upload it to econtracts.ai and you get a plain-language review: key dates, money and points to check, each quoting the clause it comes from.
Related contract templates
This outline is a starting point for discussion, not legal advice, and it is not a complete contract. Laws differ by country and sector; have a qualified lawyer review contracts that matter.