---
title: "Signing & Legal Alignment"
description: "The Partner Base Agreement, the sales model addendum, the DPA and the SLA framework — the four modules that formalize an ISV partnership with STACKIT."
sidebar:
  label: "Signing & Legal Alignment"
  order: 3
  attrs:
    data-icon: edit
source_url: "https://framework.stackit.cloud/isv/signing-and-legal-alignment/"
source_file: "docs/isv/signing-and-legal-alignment.mdx"
---

The Signing phase formalizes the partnership, legal terms, and operational framework established
during the KickOff. Executing these agreements sets up the official business relationship and
unlocks access to the STACKIT Partner Portal and technical onboarding resources.

## Key Agreement Components

To ensure a fast, standardized legal process, STACKIT provides pre-structured contracts tailored to
cloud software partnerships:

| Document / Module                       | Description & scope                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| --------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Partner Base Agreement (PBA)**        | The overarching master agreement defining general terms and conditions, IP ownership protection, confidentiality (NDA terms), and liability boundaries.                                                      |
| **Sales Model Addendum**                | Formalizes the commercial distribution model selected during KickOff. **Reselling**: Marketplace billing, payout schedules, and automated invoicing via STACKIT. **Referral**: Commission structures, lead registration, and co-selling mechanics. |
| **Data Protection & Compliance (DPA)**  | Standardized EU GDPR and data processing addendums ensuring compliance with European sovereign cloud standards.                                                                                              |
| **SLA & Support Framework**             | Defines operational boundaries, escalation paths, and support obligations (e.g., Tier-2/Tier-3 application support provided by the ISV vs. Tier-1/infrastructure support provided by STACKIT).                |
| **Marketing Appendix**                  | Governs the use of word and figurative marks in the partnership's communications via public media such as the website, portal, and marketplace.                                                              |

<Aside type="caution" title="Annex 2 is a technical commitment">
  By signing the PBA, your organization commits to the Technical and Organizational Measures (TOMs)
  outlined in Annex 2. Your [PoC architecture](/isv/technical-proof-of-concept/)
  must reflect and implement these security and data protection standards — it is validated later in
  the [Technical Quality Gate](/isv/technical-quality-gate-and-certification/).
</Aside>

## Legal Review & Workflow

To maintain the "factory" approach and keep interaction minimal and efficient:

- **Standardized Templates**: STACKIT utilizes standardized PBA and addendum templates optimized for
  European ISVs to minimize legal negotiation cycles.
- **Support & Coordination**: Your dedicated STACKIT Partner Manager acts as the primary point of
  contact to guide you through the legal alignment, coordinate internal legal approvals, and manage
  execution.

## Phase Completion Criteria

- [ ] Final review and execution of the Partner Base Agreement and chosen Sales Model Addendum.
- [ ] Registration and credential issuance for the
      [STACKIT Partner Portal](/isv/partner-portal-and-enablement/).
- [ ] **Milestone achieved**: Contracts executed — ready to proceed to
      [Partner Portal & Enablement](/isv/partner-portal-and-enablement/).

## Support & Contact

For questions on the Partner Base Agreement, addendums, or the legal review workflow, contact your
dedicated STACKIT Partner Manager or the ISV Factory team at `isv-sales@digits.schwarz`.