Change of Control Clause

Qué es

A change of control clause is triggered when ownership or control of a contracting party changes, for example by a takeover, merger, or sale of a majority stake. It gives the other party defined rights, such as consent, notification, renegotiation, or a right to terminate.

Por qué importa

You chose your counterparty for who they are; a takeover may put a competitor or a riskier owner behind the contract. A change of control clause protects against being bound to an unwanted new party, especially where assignment alone would not be triggered.

Cómo aplicarla

• Define "control" precisely: voting rights, board control, or a percentage threshold.
• Choose the consequence: notice, prior consent, renegotiation, or termination.
• Carve out intra-group reorganisations that do not change ultimate control.
• Coordinate the clause with the assignment and confidentiality provisions.

Ejemplo de redacción

If a person acquires control of a party (directly or indirectly holding more than fifty percent of its voting rights), the other party may terminate this agreement on thirty (30) days' written notice.

Consejos de negociación

• • The target should narrow "control" and exclude internal restructurings to avoid an unintended trigger.
• • The protected party should secure termination, not merely a duty to notify.

Errores frecuentes

• • Defining control too loosely, so an ordinary group reorganisation triggers the clause.
• • Relying on the assignment clause alone, which a share sale may not trigger.

Referencias legales

• BW 6:248 Reasonableness and fairness Derecho neerlandés

Salvo indicación en contrario, las referencias remiten al derecho neerlandés (Burgerlijk Wetboek, el Código Civil neerlandés); los instrumentos de la UE como el RGPD se aplican en toda la UE. Se trata de información general, no de asesoramiento legal. Otras jurisdicciones tratan estos conceptos de forma distinta. Verifique el texto vigente y su situación con un abogado cualificado.