Indemnity clauses in AI software licenses are key elements, protecting one party from losses arising from software use. Such clauses determine responsibility for costs in cases of harm or violations of third-party rights.
Indemnity agreements will set out ‘indemnified claims,’ such as data breaches or intellectual property infringements, with the indemnifying party (Indemnitor) committing to compensate the indemnified party (Indemnitee). The Indemnitor often takes on the responsibility to defend the claim, including the hiring of legal counsel and associated fees.
Indemnity clauses play a vital role in safeguarding parties in licensing agreements, outlining the allocation of risks. The extent or breadth of an indemnity clause is crucial for assessing and mitigating these risks effectively.
Broad or Comprehensive Scope of Indemnity
In agreements with a broad indemnity scope, the licensor assumes significant responsibility and financial liability for various claims and damages related to the licensed software. This comprehensive indemnity covers issues such as intellectual property disputes, personal injury claims, data breaches, contractual conflicts, and third-party claims, with specific coverage details depending on the software contract terms. Broad indemnity clauses offer extensive protection for the licensee against diverse risks.
Example of a Comprehensive Indemnity Clause:
“The AI Software Provider commits to indemnify the Licensee against all types of claims, damages, losses, and liabilities stemming from the usage of the AI software. This indemnification includes, but is not limited to, issues of intellectual property infringement, data breaches, and personal injury, regardless of whether these issues originate from the software’s design, development, or operational phase. The AI Software Provider is solely responsible for defending and resolving any such claims, including all related expenses and compensations.”
This clause signifies broad indemnification, where the AI Software Provider takes full accountability for legal matters, covering all costs and damages, including legal fees and compensation to claimants. This coverage spans the entire lifecycle of the AI software, ensuring protection across its design, development, and operational phases.
This type of comprehensive indemnity clause serves as a robust legal safeguard, thoroughly protecting the licensee from a broad spectrum of potential legal and financial challenges linked to AI software usage.
Limited Indemnity Clauses
Limited Indemnity Clauses in AI licensing agreements define the extent to which the provider (licensor) safeguards the user (licensee) from third-party claims and losses related to the AI product.
This clause outlines when the indemnitor (often the licensor) is obligated to defend and compensate the indemnitee (usually the licensee) against claims. The most significant risk covered by these clauses in the AI context is intellectual property (IP) infringement.
AI software and content, especially those learning from large datasets, may inadvertently generate output resembling protected material, posing a potential risk of unintentional infringement of copyrights, trademarks, patents, or trade secrets.
Example of a Limited Indemnity Clause:
“The AI Software Provider shall provide a limited indemnity to the Licensee for claims arising from intellectual property infringement due to the AI software, subject to the conditions specified in this agreement. The AI Software Provider will only indemnify the Licensee for losses directly resulting from the AI software’s design or development. The AI Software Provider shall have the option, but not the obligation, to defend and settle such claims. Indemnification shall be limited to a maximum liability of [specified amount] or the total fees paid by the Licensee for the AI software, whichever is lower.“
The limited indemnity clause can be understood through several key points. Firstly, it signifies restricted indemnity provided by the AI Software Provider (licensor), focusing solely on claims related to intellectual property infringement directly associated with the design or development of the AI software.
Secondly, the indemnitor, in this case, the AI Software Provider, has the option to undertake the responsibility of defending and settling claims as outlined in the clause. This allows the indemnitor the flexibility to manage legal proceedings and negotiate settlements on behalf of the licensee.
Thirdly, and crucially, the indemnitor is not required by law to actively participate in the defence or settlement of such claims. In essence, if a covered claim arises, the indemnitor retains the freedom to decide whether to actively engage in the legal process or adopt a more passive role. These aspects collectively outline a nuanced and flexible approach within the limited indemnity clause, providing clarity on the extent of coverage and the indemnitor’s role in addressing potential claims.
The above underscores the critical role of indemnity clauses in addressing the legal complexities surrounding artificial intelligence within software licensing agreements. As AI systems advance, autonomously making decisions and processing data, the associated risks and challenges amplify.
Legal professionals can play a pivotal role in striking a delicate balance between risk protection and fostering AI’s innovation. As AI’s influence deepens in daily life, indemnity clauses will play an increasingly important role in helping to manage the legal intricacies associated with AI technology, ensuring ethical and secure advancements in this transformative field.
Photo: Markus Spiske on Unsplash
