Model Information Technology Contract Terms and Systems Implementation Contracts in Europe

The buoyant computer and information technology (IT) industry has been long plagued by the problem of having to re-invent the wheel each time the occasion arises for the construction of legal contracts for IT projects. Each time, much time is expended by managers in the negotiation and production of the appropriate contract terms for such contracts. This is not only a European problem, but a world-wide one. As such there is an increasing demand today by the parties involved in the procurement and delivery of IT systems projects for the standardization of contract terms and for the establishment of an internationally accepted IT model contracting scenario (similar to those in force by the International Chambers for Commerce for general international sales contracts). The widely-held view is that the IT industry would be able to save considerable sums in time and legal costs (both during contract negotiation and with regard to any eventual conflicts) as a result leading to a considerable reduction in costs for the parties involved. This paper examines the current relative state of affairs and progress for a solution