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Check Your ContractsIf you decide to use a commercial software or hardware provider for any aspect of your digital preservation work, it is very likely that you will need to sign a contract to agree to the company’s terms of service. It is important that you understand what you are signing and know exactly what will happen to your content once it is stored or processed by an external provider. |
Knowing how your data will be processed by the company is important as small print could be included within contracts that allows them to sell your contact information, or in some cases, use your content for something you don’t want it to be used for. If you are unsure, ask for help from your local or national archive who can offer advice and explain the jargon used to help to understand exactly what is being signed.
| If you sign a contract and realise it’s not what you initially thought you were signing, it can be difficult and costly to break, with some companies even charging early exit fees. Taking the time before you sign to understand all the clauses clearly will greatly reduce the risk of issues arising in the future. |  |