How Fortune 500s Negotiate Vendor AI Model Ownership

Enterprise Tech with Fexingo · 2026-08-18 · 9 min

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Topics in this episode

enterprise software negotiation ai model ownership vendor ai contract model custody clause ip rights ai

Episode notes

In this episode of Enterprise Tech with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a growing tension in enterprise software deals: who actually owns the AI model when a Fortune 500 company licenses a custom model from a vendor? Through the lens of a recent procurement battle at a global bank, they break down why vendors are pushing back on ownership claims and what enterprises are really negotiating for - usage rights, exclusivity, and data control. The hosts explain the difference between owning a model and owning the IP behind it, and why most companies are settling for 'practical control' rather than outright ownership. They also cover the rise of 'model custody' clauses, where vendors store model weights in escrow for the customer's use in case of breach or insolvency. With the SEC's new disclosure rules and the FTC's stance on AI monopolies, this episode offers a timely, concrete look at how the world's largest companies are rewriting software contracts to protect their AI investments.

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