Clarifying Terms and Conditions

澄清条款与条件

Both parties discuss the specific legal, logistical, and operational terms of the agreement, asking questions and seeking clarification on ambiguous points.

双方讨论协议的具体法律、物流和运营条款，提出问题并寻求澄清模糊之处。

对话

聆听并跟进对话

Legal Counsel (Male)

Good morning, Ms. Chen. I appreciate you taking the time to review the updated draft. I'd like to go over a few specific clauses, particularly Clause 7.2 concerning intellectual property ownership.

早上好，陈女士。感谢您抽出时间审阅更新后的草案。我想仔细讨论几个具体条款，特别是关于知识产权所有权的第7.2条。

Head of Operations (Female)

Good morning, Mr. Lee. Of course. We noticed that change. Our understanding is that any IP developed collaboratively during this project would be jointly owned. However, Clause 7.2 now seems to imply that your company would retain primary ownership. Could you clarify that for us?

早上好，李先生。当然。我们注意到了那个改动。我们的理解是，本项目期间共同开发的任何知识产权将归双方共同所有。然而，第7.2条现在似乎暗示贵公司将保留主要所有权。您能为我们澄清一下吗？

Legal Counsel (Male)

Certainly. The intent is for joint ownership of the *output* of the project. However, the clause aims to ensure that any pre-existing intellectual property brought to the table by either party, or indeed, any enhancements developed *solely* by one party, remains their individual property. It's about protecting the originating party's assets.

当然。目的是对项目成果进行共同所有。然而，该条款旨在确保任何一方在此项目中带来的任何现有知识产权，或由一方独立开发的任何增强功能，仍为其各自的财产。这是为了保护原始方的资产。

Head of Operations (Female)

I see. So, if we develop a new proprietary software tool *specifically* for this project, but it's based on some of our existing core technology, how does that fall under this clause? Will the new tool's ownership still be considered joint if our pre-existing tech is involved?

我明白了。那么，如果S我们专门为这个项目开发了一个新的专有软件工具，但它是基于我们现有的一些核心技术，这如何归入本条款？如果涉及我们现有的技术，这个新工具的所有权还会被视为共同拥有吗？

Legal Counsel (Male)

That's a good point. In such a scenario, the new software tool itself, as the 'output,' would typically be jointly owned. The clause ensures that your *underlying* core technology, which predates this project, remains solely yours. We can add some clarifying language to further delineate this, perhaps by adding a specific sub-clause detailing enhancements to existing IP.

问得好。在这种情况下，新软件工具本身作为“成果”，通常会归双方共同所有。该条款确保您现有的核心技术（即早于本项目的技术）仍完全归您所有。我们可以添加一些澄清性语言来进一步界定这一点，也许可以通过添加一个具体的分条款来详细说明对现有知识产权的增强。

Head of Operations (Female)

That would be very helpful. Also, regarding the liability clause, Clause 10.1, it mentions 'indirect damages.' Can you give us some examples of what would be considered indirect damages in the context of this agreement? We want to ensure we fully understand the scope of that.

那会很有帮助。另外，关于责任条款，第10.1条，它提到了“间接损害”。您能给我们举例说明在此协议背景下，什么会被视为间接损害吗？我们想确保我们完全理解其范围。

Legal Counsel (Male)

Absolutely. Indirect damages typically include things like loss of profits, loss of anticipated savings, loss of data, or reputational harm, that aren't a direct and immediate consequence of a breach. For example, if a delay on our end causes you to lose a separate, unrelated contract with a third party, that could be deemed an indirect damage.

当然。间接损害通常包括利润损失、预期节约损失、数据丢失或声誉损害等，这些都不是违约的直接和即时后果。例如，如果由于我们这边的延误导致您与第三方签订的另一个不相关的合同受损，这可能被视为间接损害。

Head of Operations (Female)

Understood. That distinction is crucial for our risk assessment. Thank you for the detailed explanation. Adding the clarification on IP and perhaps refining the language around indirect damages would bring us much closer to finalizing this agreement.

明白了。这种区分对我们的风险评估至关重要。感谢您的详细解释。添加知识产权的澄清，并可能修改间接损害的措辞，将使我们离最终确定该协议更近一步。

词汇

对话中的必备词汇和短语

clause

A specific section or part of a legal document like a contract that outlines a particular rule or condition.

法律文件（如合同）的特定部分或条款，概述了特定的规则或条件。

intellectual property

Ideas, inventions, or creative works protected by law, often shortened to 'IP' in business talks.

受法律保护的想法、发明或创意作品，在商业讨论中常简称为“IP”.

ownership

The legal right to possess, use, or control something, like a product or idea in a business deal.

拥有、使用或控制某物的合法权利，例如商业交易中的产品或想法。

jointly

Shared equally between two or more parties, often used in agreements to describe co-ownership.

由两个或更多当事人平等分享，通常用于协议中描述共同所有权。

pre-existing

Something that already exists before a new project or agreement starts, like prior technology.

在新项目或协议开始之前已经存在的东西，比如先前的技术。

liability

Legal responsibility for any harm or loss caused during a business agreement.

在商业协议期间造成的任何损害或损失的法律责任。

indirect damages

Losses that are not directly caused by a problem, such as lost profits from a delay in a contract.

不是由问题直接引起的损失，例如合同延误导致的利润损失。

breach

A violation or breaking of a contract or agreement terms.

对合同或协议条款的违反或破坏。

关键句型

需要记住和练习的重要短语

Could you clarify that for us?

This polite question asks for explanation on something unclear; use it in negotiations to seek details without sounding demanding. It uses 'could' for a soft, formal request.

这个礼貌的问题是请求对不明朗的事情的解释；在谈判中使用它来寻求细节，而不会听起来像是在要求。它使用 'could' 来表示柔和、正式的请求。

The intent is for joint ownership of the output of the project.

This explains the purpose of a rule; useful for clarifying agreements. 'Intent is for' shows purpose, and 'joint ownership' means shared control—great for business discussions.

这解释了规则的目的；有助于澄清协议。'Intent is for'显示目的，而'joint ownership'意味着共享控制——非常适合商业讨论。

That's a good point.

A positive response acknowledging someone's question; it builds rapport in talks. Simple structure, use it to show you value input before explaining further.

一种认可他人问题的积极回应；它在谈话中建立 rapport。简单结构，使用它来在进一步解释前显示你重视输入。

Can you give us some examples of what would be considered indirect damages?

This asks for concrete illustrations to understand a term; essential in legal talks. It uses 'can you give us' for a collaborative request, helping to clarify complex ideas.

这是在请求具体的例子来理解一个术语；在法律讨论中至关重要。它使用 'can you give us' 来表达合作请求，帮助澄清复杂想法。

Indirect damages typically include things like loss of profits or reputational harm.

This provides examples of a concept; useful for explaining terms. 'Typically include' means 'usually covers,' and the list structure makes it easy to follow in professional settings.

这提供了概念的示例；有助于解释术语。'Typically include' 意思是 '通常涵盖'，列表结构在专业环境中易于跟随。

That distinction is crucial for our risk assessment.

This highlights why a difference matters; key in business for emphasizing importance. 'Distinction' means difference, and 'crucial for' shows necessity—use when evaluating agreements.

这突出了为什么差异重要；商业中强调重要性的关键。'Distinction' 意为差异，'crucial for' 表示必要性—在评估协议时使用。

Adding the clarification on IP and perhaps refining the language around indirect damages would bring us much closer to finalizing this agreement.

This suggests improvements to move forward; polite and forward-looking. Conditional 'would' expresses hypothetical benefits, ideal for wrapping up negotiations positively.

这建议了推进的改进；礼貌且前瞻性。条件式的“would”表达了假设利益，非常适合积极地结束谈判。