This clause allows the software company to remove or stop supporting features you currently use, usually with some advance warning (like 30 or 90 days' notice). It matters because a feature you depend on could disappear, forcing you to change how you work or find a replacement. Companies include this because technology changes and old features become expensive to maintain. However, in both UK and US law, companies must act "reasonably"—they can't remove critical features overnight or without genuine notice. If a feature is essential to your business, this clause is a real risk.
Identify which features are absolutely critical to your business, then negotiate specific protections for those features (for example, "core reporting functions cannot be deprecated for 24 months"). Push back on short notice periods—ask for at least 90 days' warning, and ideally 6 months for major features. Consider adding language that says the company must offer a migration path or alternative feature if they deprecate something you rely on. ---
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this clause mean in simple terms?
This clause allows the software company to remove or stop supporting features you currently use, usually with some advance warning (like 30 or 90 days' notice).
Why should I care about this clause?
It matters because a feature you depend on could disappear, forcing you to change how you work or find a replacement.
What are my options?
Companies include this because technology changes and old features become expensive to maintain.
How does this affect small businesses?
However, in both UK and US law, companies must act "reasonably"—they can't remove critical features overnight or without genuine notice.