An End-User License Agreement (EULA) is a binding contract between a software vendor and an end user. Commercial software almost always ships with one. A generic template typically covers: licence grant (usually a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use), restrictions (no reverse engineering, no redistribution, no removing copyright notices), ownership, warranty disclaimer, limitation of liability, termination, and governing law.
The template published on this site is a starting point only. Jurisdictions differ on what is enforceable. Have a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction review the EULA before you ship.
How to apply
Ship the EULA alongside the software. Require the user to accept it at install time or first run. Make the accepted version auditable — store a copy of the exact text the user agreed to, with the timestamp.
Full license text
GENERIC END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (TEMPLATE)
Copyright (c) [year] [company/author]. All rights reserved.
IMPORTANT — READ CAREFULLY: This End User License Agreement (the "Agreement")
is a legal contract between you (either an individual or a single legal
entity, "You") and [Company Name] ("Licensor") for the software product
identified above, which includes computer software and may include
associated media, printed materials, and "online" or electronic
documentation (the "Software"). By installing, copying, or otherwise using
the Software, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
1. LICENSE GRANT.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Licensor grants You a limited,
non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to install and use
one copy of the Software on a single device for your personal or
internal business use.
2. RESTRICTIONS.
You may not:
(a) reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software;
(b) rent, lease, lend, sublicense, or transfer the Software;
(c) remove or alter any proprietary notices or labels on the Software;
(d) use the Software for any unlawful purpose;
(e) distribute or redistribute the Software.
3. OWNERSHIP.
The Software is licensed, not sold. Licensor retains all right, title,
and interest in and to the Software, including all intellectual property
rights.
4. WARRANTY DISCLAIMER.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF
OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
6. TERMINATION.
This Agreement is effective until terminated. Your rights under this
Agreement will terminate automatically without notice if You fail to
comply with any term of this Agreement.
7. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of [Jurisdiction], without
regard to its conflicts of law principles.
THIS TEMPLATE IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT LEGAL
ADVICE. HAVE A LAWYER LICENSED IN YOUR JURISDICTION REVIEW BEFORE USE.
Raw text also available at /license-texts/generic-eula.txt — handy for curl.