Understand our features

Check out the glossary below and discover how to protect
your software and databases.

• Source Code Escrow

  
• Source code escrow is an agreement set up between a software developer or vendor (aka “Depositor” or “Licensor”), their client who is purchasing the software license (aka “Beneficiary” or “Licensee”), and a trusted third party such as Codekeeper (“Escrow Agent”). In particular, source code escrow puts a contractual obligation on the depositor to store—with a trusted escrow agent—all source code, data, build instructions, third-party tools, and anything else that would enable the beneficiary to update or maintain the software. Read more
  
  Using source code escrow, the beneficiary is protecting themself from unexpected events, such as their software developer discontinuing support for the software, running out of business, or breaching their contract in any other way. If any of these (or other) predetermined events occur (each, a “Release Condition”), the escrowed materials (i.e., source code, credentials, instructions, etc.) are then made available to the beneficiary so they can ensure their operations go on uninterrupted.

• Secure Vault Options

  
• You have total control over your plan usage with Secure Vault. Each plan comes with a number of Secure Vault Options that you can choose to fill with: source code repositories, data storage vaults or information vaults.

• Software Escrow

  
• “Software escrow” and “source code escrow” are terms that are used interchangeably, and they essentially mean the same thing. This is the most common type of escrow and it is designed to store not only source code but also build instructions and any other important documentation that would allow a beneficiary to update and maintain a mission-critical software application. Though software escrow is most commonly used for traditional on-site software licenses, it can also be used for development agreements, software acquisition agreements, and any other transactions involving software.

• Data Escrow

  
• Data escrow applies to custodians of data, such as service providers or internet domain registries, and it ensures that up-to-date copies of domain name ownership and contact details are held in escrow in the event of a registry’s business or technical failure. Sometimes it is used in tandem with domain escrow, which holds the credentials of a domain and helps reduce risk when purchasing a domain or using a domain as collateral. Just like source code escrow, data and domain escrows ensure that up-to-date copies of data and other predetermined deposit materials are held in escrow by a trusted third party such as Codekeeper, which releases the materials only upon verifying that a release condition has been met.

• Information Escrow

  
• Information escrows prevents the risk of valuable private information from being disclosed to others. The escrow allows companies to transmit sensitive documents to a trusted intermediary, such as Codekeeper, who only forwards the information under pre-defined release triggers. The escrow agent attests to the information's ownership, contents, and creation date.

• SaaS escrows

  
• SaaS escrow is similar to a regular software or source code escrow. However, it is tailored to the unique needs of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, which often require a more robust solution to obtain a required level of protection. Much like software escrow, SaaS escrow contains code, virtual machines, data, and any other components necessary to ensure a SaaS product remains viable in the event the original vendor is no longer able to support it. By establishing a SaaS escrow agreement, a company that subscribes to a SaaS application (beneficiary) protects itself from a potential sudden loss of access to critical SaaS services—whether temporary or long-term—and secures direct access to a running copy of the software and their own customer data in case release conditions are met.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do you also support other source code deposit methods?

  
• All accounts include unlimited continuous deposits. We also support SFTP, Dropbox, Google Drive, email, and others. Let us know your needs and we’ll make it work.

• Can you tell me more about how you protect data?

  
• Deposited source code is encrypted in a single process when the deposit is made. The encrypted source code is backed up at different locations around the world. The decryption keys are in our safes, which are inside a bank building. The codes only come out when a release event occurs.

• Can you provide us with a copy of the escrow agreement?

  
• Click here to access our free sample escrow agreement!

• Can I pay by invoice?

  
• Yes, you can. Please email [email protected] if you'd like to receive an invoice to start your subscription.

• What payment methods do you support?

  
• We support all major credit cards. As subscriptions are processed using Chargebee and payments are processed using Stripe, you may see these names appear on your credit card statement.

• Will I get a VAT invoice?

  
• Yes. If you enter your VAT information during sign-up, you'll receive an invoice specifying the VAT amounts. All listed prices of Codekeeper services do not include VAT.

• When does the escrow process start?

  
• Once you sign up for your Codekeeper plan, you will receive onboarding information via email. This email will also include links to register your repositories and to add counter parties to them. We'll support you through the process to get all your code secured quickly and easily.

• Does Codekeeper have access to the content that's deposited under escrow?

  
• No. To ensure complete security and guarantee full integrity, the deposited materials are encrypted and stored in an automated process.

• Where is the code under escrow stored?

  
• We back up all encrypted escrow content at several undisclosed locations around the world. If you have regional data storage restrictions, we can accommodate them.

• In which countries do your operate?

  
• We have offices in the US and in The Netherlands, and we are a trusted partner of great companies from all around the world.

• Do you offer data escrow services?

  
• We offer different data escrow setups. Snapshot Upload is included with our Data Escrow Vault, and you can request a quote for Mirror Streaming. We also offer Data Verification, as well as Amazon S3 direct deposit connections at $29 per month.

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