Software and Technology Escrow Protection

Feeling comfortable and confident is the key to a smooth and mutually beneficial business transaction. Quite often, a great business relationship can best be brokered with the aide of an impartial third party, particularly when mission-critical software, proprietary information or technology licensing is in play.

Iron Mountain serves as a risk mitigation resource when two or more parties are negotiating a license for software. When a software escrow contract is established, the source code for that software is placed within a secure software escrow account held by Iron Mountain.

If the developer is not able to support its product in the future—whether due to a bankruptcy, an end-of-life announcement or a merger, acquisition or strategic partnership—licensees contact us to request a release. We then contact the licensor, and if the release conditions are satisfied the source code is released. This scenario is often referred to as a traditional, on-premises software delivery model, and it provides licensees with peace of mind in knowing that even if the licensor’s circumstances change, their software’s source code will be accessible to facilitate recreating, maintaining and supporting related applications going forward.

Fast, convenient and secure software escrow deposits

Iron Mountain’s Software Escrow Services offer secure physical and electronic vaulting with real-time, online account management.

Physical depositing with Iron Mountain offers secure transport and handling of assets for deposits that employ industry best practices, coupled with Iron Mountain-developed security practices that provide:

• Deposit Security — Tracks Chain-of-Custody from time of receipt to release of deposit.
• Storage Security — Prevents unauthorized access to physical and electronic vaults.
• Facility Security — Adheres to Iron Mountain fail-safe mechanisms that restrict access to the vault and materials.
• Deposit Retrieval Security — Release deposit material only after material verification meets contractual requirements.

Electronic depositing allows authorized users to send deposits online to an Iron Mountain software escrow account, enabling rapid updating of accounts while saving time and money over traditional shipping methods. Our simple, secure electronic depositing process utilizes user-friendly SFTP technology to allow you to deposit assets in real time in our ultra-secure underground facility. The resulting benefits of electronic depositing include:

• Elimination of shipping delays
• No additional packaging, shipping and third-party handling costs or logistics
• Protection of sensitive assets via secure electronic transfer
• Immediate confirmation of deposits
• No charge for Iron Mountain technology escrow customers

Advantages for licensees

• Reduce the risks of licensing software and, consequently, help to ensure business continuity
• Maintain control over decisions to acquire new technology, through assurance that existing software will continue to support your business
• Convenient and secure online account management through Iron Mountain Escrow Management Center
• Access to the extensive range of Software-as-a-Service Escrow Solutions

Advantages for licensors

• Build trust with customers by addressing technology protection concerns head-on with value-added escrow services from the global industry leader
• Validate your ownership of technology assets and intellectual property with a development audit trail
• Ensure user convenience and information security with unlimited depositing, electronic depositing, secure destruction of materials and automatic notification
• Convenient and secure online account management through Iron Mountain Escrow Management Center

Advantages for attorneys

• Help clients reduce risk and enhance compliance through integration of Iron Mountain Software Escrow Services as part of a comprehensive risk management strategy
• Entrust your clients’ interests to the acknowledged global leader in the field

Customer-driven services

In addition to our Software-as-a-Service Escrow Services, Iron Mountain offers a range of specialized, customer-driven solutions to both developers and licensees. Serving as consultants, our team of experts will work closely with you to assist with:

• Structuring software escrow agreements that reflect your unique needs
• Negotiating and reviewing contracts
• Inspection, processing and documentation services
• Account monitoring and compliance