M-Wakili

Ask a lawyer:
What are the recommended provisions for a database rights agreement?

M-Wakili's Response

A database rights agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions under which a database owner grants rights to another party to use, access, or modify the database. It is crucial to have a comprehensive and well-drafted agreement to protect the interests of both parties.

1. Introduction

The Data Protection Act, 2019 (DPA) is the primary legislation governing data protection in Kenya. It gives effect to Article 31(c) and (d) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which guarantees the right to privacy as a fundamental right. The DPA establishes the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), which is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Act.

The DPA defines "personal data" as any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. This includes information such as name, address, phone number, email address, and financial information. The DPA also defines "processing" as any operation or set of operations which is performed upon personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.

The DPA imposes a number of obligations on data controllers and data processors, including the obligation to obtain consent from data subjects before processing their personal data. The DPA also sets out a number of rights for data subjects, including the right to access their personal data, the right to rectification of inaccurate data, and the right to erasure of their personal data.

2. Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. Recommended Provisions for a Database Rights Agreement 2.1. Definitions 2.2. Grant of Rights 2.3. Restrictions on Use 2.4. Confidentiality 2.5. Intellectual Property Rights 2.6. Term and Termination 2.7. Warranties and Disclaimers 2.8. Limitation of Liability 2.9. Dispute Resolution 2.10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

  3. Case Laws

  4. Conclusion

  5. TLDR

3. Recommended Provisions for a Database Rights Agreement

3.1. Definitions

The agreement should clearly define key terms, such as:

  • Database: This should include a detailed description of the database, including its content, structure, and format.

  • Database Owner: This refers to the party that owns the database and grants rights to the other party.

  • Licensee: This refers to the party that receives rights to use the database from the database owner.

  • Rights: This should specify the specific rights granted to the licensee, such as the right to access, use, modify, or distribute the database.

3.2. Grant of Rights

The agreement should clearly state the specific rights granted to the licensee. This could include:

  • Right to Access: The licensee may be granted the right to access the database, either directly or through an API.

  • Right to Use: The licensee may be granted the right to use the database for specific purposes, such as research, development, or commercialization.

  • Right to Modify: The licensee may be granted the right to modify the database, such as adding or deleting data.

  • Right to Distribute: The licensee may be granted the right to distribute the database to third parties.

3.3. Restrictions on Use

The agreement should also specify any restrictions on the licensee's use of the database. This could include:

  • Purpose Restrictions: The licensee may be restricted from using the database for certain purposes, such as competing with the database owner.

  • Geographic Restrictions: The licensee may be restricted from using the database in certain geographic locations.

  • Time Restrictions: The licensee may be restricted from using the database for a certain period of time.

3.4. Confidentiality

The agreement should include provisions that protect the confidentiality of the database. This could include:

  • Non-Disclosure Obligations: The licensee should be obligated to keep the database confidential and not disclose it to third parties without the database owner's consent.

  • Confidentiality Agreements: The agreement should require the licensee to sign a separate confidentiality agreement if necessary.

3.5. Intellectual Property Rights

The agreement should address the ownership of intellectual property rights in the database. This could include:

  • Ownership: The agreement should clearly state that the database owner retains ownership of all intellectual property rights in the database.

  • License: The agreement should grant the licensee a non-exclusive license to use the database, unless otherwise agreed upon.

3.6. Term and Termination

The agreement should specify the term of the agreement and the conditions under which it can be terminated. This could include:

  • Term: The agreement should specify the duration of the license granted to the licensee.

  • Termination: The agreement should specify the grounds for termination, such as breach of contract or non-payment.

3.7. Warranties and Disclaimers

The agreement should include warranties and disclaimers regarding the database. This could include:

  • Warranties: The database owner may provide certain warranties regarding the database, such as warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

  • Disclaimers: The database owner may also include disclaimers, such as disclaimers of liability for any damages arising from the use of the database.

3.8. Limitation of Liability

The agreement should include provisions that limit the liability of the database owner. This could include:

  • Exclusion of Liability: The database owner may exclude liability for certain types of damages, such as consequential damages.

  • Limitation of Liability: The database owner may limit its liability to a specific amount.

3.9. Dispute Resolution

The agreement should specify the method for resolving disputes between the parties. This could include:

  • Negotiation: The parties should agree to attempt to resolve disputes through negotiation.

  • Arbitration: The parties may agree to submit disputes to arbitration.

  • Litigation: The parties may agree to resolve disputes through litigation in a specific court.

3.10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The agreement should specify the governing law and jurisdiction for resolving disputes. This could include:

  • Governing Law: The agreement should specify the law that will govern the agreement.

  • Jurisdiction: The agreement should specify the court or courts that will have jurisdiction over any disputes arising from the agreement.

4. Case Laws

  • Data Protection Act, 2019: This Act is the primary legislation governing data protection in Kenya. It sets out the rights of data subjects and the obligations of data controllers and data processors. (Source: Kenya Law)

  • Constitution of Kenya, 2010: Article 31(c) and (d) of the Constitution guarantees the right to privacy as a fundamental right. The Data Protection Act, 2019, gives effect to this constitutional right. (Source: Kenya Law)

  • Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC): The ODPC is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Data Protection Act, 2019. (Source: ODPC Kenya)

5. Conclusion

A database rights agreement is an essential legal document for protecting the interests of both the database owner and the licensee. It should be carefully drafted to ensure that it is comprehensive and covers all relevant aspects of the relationship between the parties.

6. TLDR

A database rights agreement should clearly define key terms, specify the rights granted to the licensee, outline restrictions on use, protect confidentiality, address intellectual property rights, define the term and termination conditions, include warranties and disclaimers, limit liability, specify dispute resolution methods, and state the governing law and jurisdiction.


Sample Database Rights Agreement

Database Rights Agreement

This Database Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of [Date] by and between [Database Owner Name], a [Type of Entity] with its principal place of business at [Database Owner Address] (the "Database Owner"), and [Licensee Name], a [Type of Entity] with its principal place of business at [Licensee Address] (the "Licensee").

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Database Owner owns and operates a database (the "Database") containing [Database Description]; and

WHEREAS, the Licensee desires to obtain a license to access, use, and modify the Database for the purposes of [Licensee Purpose];

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. Definitions

1.1. "Database" means the database owned and operated by the Database Owner, as described in the preamble to this Agreement.

1.2. "Database Owner" means [Database Owner Name], as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

1.3. "Licensee" means [Licensee Name], as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

1.4. "Rights" means the specific rights granted to the Licensee under this Agreement, including but not limited to the right to access, use, modify, and distribute the Database.

2. Grant of Rights

2.1. The Database Owner hereby grants to the Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access, use, and modify the Database for the purposes of [Licensee Purpose].

2.2. The Licensee shall not use the Database for any purpose other than those expressly permitted under this Agreement.

3. Restrictions on Use

3.1. The Licensee shall not:

3.1.1. Use the Database for any purpose that is illegal or that violates any applicable law or regulation.

3.1.2. Use the Database to compete with the Database Owner.

3.1.3. Modify the Database in any way that would impair its functionality or performance.

3.1.4. Distribute the Database to any third party without the prior written consent of the Database Owner.

4. Confidentiality

4.1. The Licensee agrees to hold the Database in strict confidence and not to disclose it to any third party without the prior written consent of the Database Owner.

4.2. The Licensee shall take all reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of the Database, including but not limited to:

4.2.1. Limiting access to the Database to authorized personnel.

4.2.2. Implementing appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the Database.

4.2.3. Requiring all employees and contractors who have access to the Database to sign confidentiality agreements.

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1. The Database Owner retains all right, title, and interest in and to the Database, including all intellectual property rights therein.

5.2. The Licensee acknowledges that the Database is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights.

6. Term and Termination

6.1. This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue for a period of [Term] (the "Term").

6.2. This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon [Notice Period] written notice to the other party.

6.3. This Agreement may be terminated by the Database Owner immediately upon written notice to the Licensee if the Licensee breaches any of the provisions of this Agreement.

7. Warranties and Disclaimers

7.1. The Database Owner warrants that it has the right to grant the license to the Licensee under this Agreement.

7.2. THE DATABASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE DATABASE OWNER MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE DATABASE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

8. Limitation of Liability

8.1. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DATABASE OWNER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THE DATABASE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

9. Dispute Resolution

9.1. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the [Arbitration Institution].

9.2. The arbitration shall be conducted in [Location] and the language of the arbitration shall be [Language].

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

10.1. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [Country].

10.2. The courts of [Jurisdiction] shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

11. Entire Agreement

11.1. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements, whether oral or written.

12. Severability

12.1. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be struck from this Agreement and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

13. Notices

13.1. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally, sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or sent by overnight courier service, addressed as follows:

If to the Database Owner:

[Database Owner Name] [Database Owner Address]

If to the Licensee:

[Licensee Name] [Licensee Address]

14. Waiver

14.1. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced.

15. Binding Effect

15.1. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

[Database Owner Signature]

[Database Owner Name]

[Licensee Signature]

[Licensee Name]


This is a sample database rights agreement and should be reviewed by a qualified legal professional before use. The specific provisions of the agreement will vary depending on the specific circumstances of the transaction.

Answered by mwakili.com