What is an Automatic Renewal Clause?

What is an automatic renewal clause?

An automatic renewal clause (sometimes referred to as an evergreen or self-renewal clause) is a contractual provision that operates at the end of a contract’s current term to automatically extend the term for a specified period of time, unless one of the parties provides notice of its intent not to renew. This arrangement may be limited to a set number of automatic renewal periods (see example 2 below) or it may continue indefinitely.

Automatic renewal clauses are found in many different kinds of commercial contracts and are perhaps most prevalent in SaaS and other subscription-based service agreements. These clauses can be desirable when parties contemplate a long-term relationship. The convenience of having the contractual period extend automatically saves both time and money that would otherwise be spent renegotiating the agreement each time it expires. The automatic renewal clause also introduces an element of certainty to the relationship. It gives purchasers the peace of mind of knowing that critical goods or services will continue to be available for their business without interruption. Similarly, it helps vendors stabilize revenue, giving them more predictable cash flow and the flexibility to make important strategic and operational decisions over the medium to long term.

How do you review the automatic renewal clause in contracts?

In some contracts, the automatic renewal clause may appear in its own section (see example 2 below), making it relatively easy to find. Other times, the clause may be buried in the term section of the agreement (see examples 1 and 3 below), which can make it more difficult to spot when scanning through the document. Note, as well, that automatic renewal may be indicated by alternative wording such as “automatically extended”, “continue automatically”, or even a phrase like “thereafter for successive one-year periods, unless…” where any mention of “automatic” is absent. Even worse, some contracts may contain clauses that require careful review before they can be identified as automatic renewal clauses - see, for instance, example 4 below, where automatic renewal is implied by the deemed exercise of the extension options absent timely notice from Tenant of its intention to terminate the contract. There is a good chance that someone might overlook the deeming language on a scan of this provision and think that notice is required only if Tenant wants to exercise one or more of those options (which is a more typical way of drafting these kinds of extension provisions).

Once located, the key pieces of information to focus on in the automatic renewal clause are as follows:

1. The amount of notice required. As the examples below illustrate, the notice period is typically stated as a number of days (often between 30 and 90 days) but may also be stated in months or even years.
2. The timing of when that notice needs to be given. The timing of the notice will generally be measured with reference to the end of the current term (see examples 1 and 3 below) or the commencement of the next renewal term (see example 2 below).
3. The duration of the renewal period. In most contracts, the renewal period will be measured in years (though it may have a shorter duration), and it’s not uncommon for it to be the same length as the original term (see examples 1 and 3 below). Pay particular attention to cases like example 4 below. Not only is the automatic renewal clause in that lease agreement difficult to identify, but the duration of each renewal term is also very long, making the cost of failing to provide timely opt-out notice that much greater.

When reviewing an automatic renewal clause, it’s also important to be aware of other contractual provisions that affect its interpretation. The notice section of the agreement, for example, details how and to whom notice needs to be given to be legally binding. The term section of the agreement provides useful information about when the initial term begins and how long it lasts. There may also be important information in the termination section about obligations that either arise on or survive the termination of the contract. Finally, the contract may contain a price adjustment clause (see example 3 below), which provides a mechanism for altering the economic terms of the contract. Where a party is considering opting out of automatic renewal for economic reasons, a price adjustment clause may provide a better alternative for addressing those concerns without disrupting what is otherwise a productive business relationship.

Software that uses AI to identify and extract automatic renewal clauses (as well as other terms that affect their interpretation) can accelerate the work of finding these provisions and enable a more comprehensive review than can otherwise be done manually.

Examples of the automatic renewal clause

Below are some examples of automatic renewal clauses from different kinds of agreements. While these examples do not necessarily cover the full range of automatic renewal clauses one may encounter, they are meant to illustrate the degree to which these provisions can vary from contract to contract. Where an example includes broader contextual language, the automatic renewal clause is highlighted in bold.

Example 1: From a SaaS Agreement

a. Term of Agreement. The initial term of this Agreement will commence as of the Effective Date and will continue for a period of one (1) year. The initial term will automatically renew for successive one (1) year terms unless either Party notifies the other in writing, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the current term, of its intention not to renew. Both the initial term and any renewal term are subject to earlier termination as otherwise provided for by this Agreement. Either Party may choose not to renew this Agreement without cause for any reason.

Example 2: From an Outsourcing Agreement

2.2. Renewal. This Agreement shall be automatically renewed for two (2) successive two (2) year periods, unless one Party provides the other Party with written notice of its desire not to renew this Agreement at least ninety (90) days prior to the commencement of each such two-year period.

Example 3: From a SaaS Agreement

6.1. Term. Unless set forth otherwise as part of the SaaS Subscription Order Form, this Agreement will come into force upon the Service Commencement Date for an initial period of one (1) year (the “Initial Term”). Following the Initial Term, this Agreement shall auto-renew by consecutive one (1) year periods (each period called a “Renewal Term”), unless either party provides the other with a written notification of non-renewal at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then current term. The Initial Term, together with any Renewal Term, is referred to as the “Term” of this Agreement. The per-unit pricing during any automatic renewal term will be the same as that during the immediately prior term unless We have given You written notice of a pricing increase at least 60 days before the end of that prior term, in which case the pricing increase will be effective upon renewal and thereafter. Any such pricing increase will not exceed 7% of the pricing for the applicable Service or Content in the immediately prior subscription term, unless the pricing in the prior term was designated in the relevant SaaS Subscription Order Form as promotional or one-time.

Example 4: From a Lease and Operating Agreement

4.2 Extension of Initial Term. Tenant shall have the option of extending the Term for up to two (2), ten (10) year extension terms, followed by one (1), six (6) year extension term (each, an “Extension Term”). Tenant shall be deemed to have exercised its option to extend this Agreement unless at least two (2) years prior to the end of the then current Term or any subsequent extension term, Tenant shall have notified Landlord in writing of its intention to terminate this Agreement at the conclusion of such Term.

Example 5: From a Custodial Services Agreement

10.5 Term. This Agreement shall be effective from the Effective Date and shall have an initial term ending seven (7) years after Effective Date (the “Initial Term”), unless it is terminated in accordance with Section 10.6. This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms (each a “Subsequent Term”) at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of a Subsequent Term, unless written notice is provided by either the Manager, on behalf of the Clients, or the Custodian no less than 90 days prior to the end of the Initial Term or Subsequent Term (as appropriate) of such party’s intention to not renew this Agreement for a Subsequent Term.

Example 6: From a Software License Agreement

7.2. Term. The initial term of the maintenance services shall begin upon Licensee’s receipt of the Licensed Software under this Agreement, and shall continue until the last day of the calendar month in which the one-year anniversary of the term falls. Thereafter, the maintenance services will auto-matically renew for additional one-year terms unless either party provides the other with written notice to the contrary at least twenty one days prior to the end of the then current maintenance term.

Example 7: From a Master Services Agreement

14.1 (Term) The initial term of this Agreement will be two (2) years from the Effective Date, and unless earlier terminated as provided below, the Agreement shall automatically be renewed and extended for additional one (1) year periods unless, at least three months prior to the end of then-current term, either Party shall notify the other Party that such Party does not wish to renew this Agreement beyond the then-current expiration date (the initial term and all renewal terms or portions thereof, if applicable, are collectively, the “Term”).

Example 8: From a Master Supply Agreement

2.2 RENEWALS. This Agreement shall automatically renew for additional periods of five (5) Contract Years each (each such period is referred to as a “Renewal Period”) unless either party (1) is in material breach of this Agreement, or (2) provides the other party with written notice of its intention to terminate this Agreement at least one (1) year prior to the relevant Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may at its option refuse to renew this Agreement for any Renewal Period if the other party shall be in material breach of any provisions of this Agreement at the time of such renewal.

Example 9: From a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement

9.1 This Agreement shall become effective on Nov 3, 2006 for an initial period of five (5) years. It shall be automatically extended for a one (1) year period unless one PARTY gives twelve (12) months’ prior written notice that it does not want such an extension.

Example 10: From a Development and Supply Agreement

10.1 TERM. This Agreement shall take effect as of the date hereof and shall continue in force until the fifth anniversary of the date hereof, and shall automatically renew for successive five-year periods unless either party gives the other party written notice of non-renewal at least 180 days prior to such renewal date (the “Term”).

Example 11: From an Employment Agreement

1. Employment Period. The term of the Executive’s employment by the Company pursuant to this Agreement (the “Employment Period”) shall commence upon the Effective Date as set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “Effective Date”) and shall continue for that period of calendar months from the Effective Date as set forth on Schedule A hereto. Thereafter, the Employment Period shall automatically renew for successive periods of one (1) year each, unless either party shall have given to the other at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice of their intention not to renew the Executive’s employment prior to the end of the Employment Period or the then applicable renewal term, as the case may be. In any event, the Employment Period may be terminated as provided herein.

Example 12: From a Software License Agreement

2. TERM. This Agreement shall be for an initial term of One (1) years ("Initial Term") commencing on the date hereof and this Agreement shall automatically renew for FOUR subsequent one (1) year periods unless terminated as elsewhere herein provided.

Example 13: From a Joint Venture Agreement

Section 2.3 Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement continues, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof, until the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however, that this Agreement shall automatically continue for additional successive three year terms unless any party hereto notifies the other parties in writing on or before the June 22nd prior to the end of the then-current term that such first-mentioned party wishes to terminate this Agreement at the end of such term.

Example 14: From a Supply and Distribution Agreement

11.1 Duration. This Agreement shall have immediate force and effect and shall remain in effect until the completion of the Fifth Period described in Paragraph 5.1 of this Agreement and shall continue thereafter for an additional three (3) year term and continue thereafter for two automatic three (3) year terms unless and until terminated by either party giving to the other six (6) months notice in writing prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Subsequent Term.

Example 15: From a Website Content License Agreement

6.1 Term. The initial term of this Agreement commences as of the Effective Date and, unless terminated earlier pursuant to any express provision of this Agreement, shall continue until five (5) years following the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”). Thereafter, this Agreement shall renew automatically for one (1) additional three (3) year period (the “Renewal Term” and collectively, together with the Initial Term, the “Term”) unless either party provides the other with written notice of non-renewal at least ninety (90) days before the expiration of the Initial Term."