Change of Control Clause

Cos'e

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.

Perché conta

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.

Come applicarla

• 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.

Testo di esempio

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.

Consigli per la negoziazione

• • 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.

Errori frequenti

• • 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.

Riferimenti normativi

• BW 6:248 Reasonableness and fairness Diritto olandese

Salvo diversa indicazione, i riferimenti riguardano il diritto olandese (Burgerlijk Wetboek, il Codice Civile olandese); gli strumenti UE come il GDPR si applicano in tutta l'UE. Si tratta di informazioni generali, non di consulenza legale. Altre giurisdizioni trattano questi concetti in modo diverso. Verifichi il testo vigente e la propria situazione con un avvocato qualificato.