Create a bespoke document in minutes,聽or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership聽of your information
Master Agreement
I need a master agreement for a long-term business partnership between two companies, outlining terms for collaboration, intellectual property rights, confidentiality, and dispute resolution. The agreement should include provisions for periodic review, termination clauses, and compliance with Indian laws and regulations.
What is a Master Agreement?
A Master Agreement sets the core rules for all future contracts between two parties who plan to work together long-term. Think of it as the foundation that covers basic terms, payment rules, and how to handle disputes - so you don't have to negotiate these points over and over for each new deal.
In India, these agreements are especially vital for ongoing business relationships in sectors like IT services, manufacturing, and banking. They speed up future transactions by establishing standard procedures under the Indian Contract Act, while letting you add specific details through shorter supplementary agreements when needed. Most Indian companies use them to reduce legal risks and streamline their contracting process.
When should you use a Master Agreement?
Use a Master Agreement when your company plans regular, repeated transactions with the same business partner. It's especially valuable for Indian companies in ongoing supplier relationships, IT service contracts, or distribution arrangements where you'll have multiple deals over time.
The agreement becomes essential when dealing with high-value partnerships, complex regulatory requirements under Indian law, or situations needing consistent terms across multiple contracts. Many businesses implement them during vendor onboarding, before starting large projects, or when expanding into new markets - particularly when compliance, intellectual property rights, or confidentiality need standardized protection.
What are the different types of Master Agreement?
- SaaS Master Service Agreement: Governs ongoing software services, covering data protection, service levels, and tech support specifics
- Master Distributor Agreement: Manages product distribution rights, territory limits, and sales targets
- Master Subcontract Agreement: Controls ongoing outsourcing relationships, including quality standards and project handoffs
- Master Independent Contractor Agreement: Defines freelancer relationships, intellectual property rights, and payment terms
- Master Credit Agreement: Sets lending terms, security requirements, and repayment conditions for financial arrangements
Who should typically use a Master Agreement?
- Corporate Legal Teams: Draft and customize Master Agreements to protect company interests, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain consistency across deals
- Business Leaders: Review and sign these agreements, making key decisions about long-term partnerships and risk allocation
- External Law Firms: Provide specialized guidance on complex terms, regulatory requirements, and dispute resolution mechanisms
- Procurement Officers: Use these agreements to streamline vendor relationships and establish standard operating procedures
- Compliance Managers: Monitor adherence to agreement terms and ensure alignment with Indian corporate laws and industry regulations
How do you write a Master Agreement?
- Company Details: Gather complete legal names, registration numbers, and addresses of all parties involved
- Scope Definition: Outline specific services, products, or transactions the agreement will cover
- Payment Terms: Document pricing structures, payment schedules, and invoicing requirements under Indian tax laws
- Compliance Check: List industry-specific regulations and required permits affecting your business relationship
- Key Contacts: Identify authorized signatories and points of contact for both parties
- Document Generation: Use our platform to create a legally-sound Master Agreement that includes all essential elements and meets Indian legal requirements
What should be included in a Master Agreement?
- Party Information: Full legal names, addresses, and registration details of all entities involved
- Scope Definition: Clear description of services, deliverables, and relationship boundaries
- Term and Termination: Agreement duration, renewal terms, and conditions for ending the relationship
- Payment Terms: Pricing, payment schedules, and GST compliance requirements
- Dispute Resolution: Arbitration procedures under Indian law, jurisdiction selection, and governing law
- Confidentiality: Data protection measures aligned with Indian IT Act requirements
- Force Majeure: Events excusing performance under Indian contract principles
- Signatures: Proper execution blocks for authorized representatives with company stamps
What's the difference between a Master Agreement and a Master Service Agreement?
A Master Agreement differs significantly from a Master Service Agreement (MSA), though they're often confused. While both establish long-term business relationships, their scope and application vary considerably in the Indian legal context.
- Scope and Coverage: Master Agreements create an umbrella framework for multiple future contracts across various transaction types, while MSAs focus specifically on ongoing service delivery terms
- Contract Structure: Master Agreements require supplementary agreements for specific deals, whereas MSAs typically include detailed service specifications directly within the document
- Duration and Flexibility: Master Agreements offer broader flexibility to accommodate different types of future transactions, while MSAs are more rigid and service-specific
- Industry Application: Master Agreements suit diverse sectors like manufacturing and finance, while MSAs are primarily used in service-based industries like IT and consulting
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
骋别苍颈别鈥檚 Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here鈥檚 how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; 骋别苍颈别鈥檚 AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a 拢1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.