Document background
The Master License Agreement (MLA) is a foundational document used when one party wishes to establish a long-term licensing relationship with another party for the use of intellectual property, technology, software, or other proprietary assets. This agreement type is particularly relevant in the United States market, where it must comply with both federal IP laws and state-specific contract requirements. The MLA serves as an umbrella agreement that sets out the fundamental terms and conditions, including scope of license, payment terms, quality standards, and compliance requirements, while allowing for specific details to be addressed in subsequent schedule or addenda. It is commonly used in technology licensing, software distribution, content licensing, and manufacturing arrangements where ongoing licensing relationships need to be managed efficiently under a single framework.
