Hiring an offshore team: the IP, NDA and payment terms that protect you
Seven clauses to insist on before you share a single spec.
Karan · Founder & CTO, NavikX
· 7 MIN READ
THE SHORT ANSWER
Before you share a spec, get an NDA, IP assignment from the first commit, repositories in your account, milestone payments and a clear exit clause.
Seven clauses to insist on
- NDA signed before you share specs, schematics or data.
- IP assignment: all code, designs and documents are yours from creation, not on final payment only.
- Repository in your GitHub or GitLab from day one.
- Milestone payments tied to working, demoed software.
- Change requests quoted in writing before work starts.
- Handover: documentation, credentials and deployment notes at every milestone.
- Exit clause: you can stop after any milestone and keep everything paid for.
Jurisdiction and payments
Agree governing law and currency up front. International bank transfer in USD, EUR, GBP or AED with invoices per milestone keeps both sides protected.
FAQ
Is an NDA with an Indian company enforceable?
Yes. Contracts can name your jurisdiction, and the practical protection comes from IP assignment and code in your own accounts.
Karan Kumar Maurya · Founder & CTO, NavikX
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