Attached to this post is a beta-test version of a Master Services Agreement form, in Adobe PDF format. It contains both short-form and long-form versions; you can interactively configure both of them by checking boxes and filling in blanks. And as you do, you'll automatically be generating a summary page of key terms and conditions, for handy future reference.

(You can download the Adobe Reader software for free from Adobe.)

Advantages of using Pactix forms

Quickly prepare a high-quality draft by configuring the actual contract form, so that what you see is what you get. With a Pactix PDF contract form, you and your lawyer can quickly build the contract you want by checking selected boxes; choosing from drop-down menu options; and filling in blanks in the actual document. If desired, your lawyer can prepare a rider with any special-purpose language you might need. You review the exact language of the contract you’re configuring, in context, just as if you were drafting it yourself. Plain-English language lets you swiftly grasp what options are offered in the contract form. (Are you wondering how good legally the Pactix contract forms are? By all means, ask your lawyer.)

Spend less time — and less lawyer time — getting routine business contracts to signature. Every contract is important, but not every contract needs the lawyers to spend time hand-crafting the language. Sometimes it's enough for the parties and lawyers to configure a set of standard language, so that the parties can get their business done and move on.

Automatically generate a summary page of selected key terms. As you configure a Pactix contract form, the PDF document automatically updates a summary page, which you can save for handy future reference.

Save time by saving and re-using benchmark contracts. Why keep re-doing the same work? With Pactix contract forms, once you negotiate a contract you’re happy with, you can quickly fine-tune it as desired and save it as a benchmark. Then . . . .

Instantly compare another party’s draft with one of your benchmark contracts. If you’ll be negotiating from a vendor’s contract form, ask the vendor to send you a Pactix form, configured to match the vendor’s preferences. Using Adobe Acrobat® Professional software (or other PDF comparison software), you can instantly see how the vendor’s proposal measures up to the benchmark contract you’d like to match.

Give your junior colleagues tools to train themselves. Pactix’s extensive annotations and Web links help your junior colleagues learn why certain contract provisions are — or aren’t — drafted in certain ways.

Spend time on “the art of the deal” when you need it, not when you don’t. Some lawyers and business people want their contracts to be subtly worded in ways that give them the maximum possible legal advantage. Pactix contract forms don't do that; they try to be very straightforward in how the various options are presented. Yes, a Pactix contract form might coach the other side about concessions they could request. But realistically, you can’t assume the other side’s lawyers won’t ask for those concessions anyway — in which case you'll spend time and money fussing over language. By using a Pactix form, you’ll save some of that time, which could make all the difference in getting to signature on time.

When the beta-test version times out

The editing-license code for this beta-test version will expire at 12:01 a.m. local time on April 1, 2008. Not coincidentally, that's the end of the first quarter (for calendar-year companies).

After that time, you'll still be able to print the document in its then-existing form. If you want to do further edits after that time, however, you will need to purchase and install a new license code. More information about that will be released later.