Helping My Client Launch SaaS with Subscription Pages

Launching a SaaS product is more than just building software. It involves careful legal planning to protect your platform, your clients, and your business model. I recently helped a client in the GCC region launch their SaaS platform, which also offers consulting services. This post breaks down the legal steps we took to ensure everything—from the subscription pages to the service delivery—was compliant and secure.

Why Legal Support Matters in SaaS Launches

A SaaS business isn’t only about technology. It’s about:

• How users subscribe
• How data is collected and protected
• What terms govern the use of the software
• How payments are processed
• And what happens when something goes wrong

Without a solid legal framework, even the best-designed platforms are vulnerable to risk.

Reviewing Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

One of the first things we did was draft clear Terms of Service (ToS) and a compliant Privacy Policy. Here’s how we structured them:

Terms of Service:

• Defined user rights and responsibilities
• Outlined acceptable use of the platform
• Clarified support levels and service limitations
• Included limitation of liability and dispute resolution clauses

Privacy Policy:

• Explained what data is collected and why
• Identified third-party services (e.g., Stripe, email providers)
• Detailed how users can access, change, or delete their data
• Included cookie policies, especially for GCC jurisdictions

These documents were placed directly on the subscription page, with checkboxes for user acceptance to ensure enforceability.

Structuring Subscription Models Legally

The client offered three pricing tiers, and each had different access levels. We ensured each tier was covered by:

• Clickwrap agreements: Users had to check a box confirming they read and agreed to terms
• Auto-renewal clauses: Transparent disclosures on how and when subscriptions renew
• Refund policy: Clear explanation of when refunds are allowed (or not)
• Governing law clause: Specified UAE law for jurisdiction

This was essential to comply with GCC consumer protection frameworks and avoid disputes.

Clarifying IP and Consultant-Client Relations

Since the SaaS platform included access to human consultants (e.g., business strategy calls, legal advice), we added an extra layer of legal clarity:

Consultant Terms:

• Consultants deliver advice, but not liability for platform failures
• Clear guidelines on the scope of advice and disclaimers
• No IP ownership transfer from consultant to client

Platform IP:

• All software code, branding, and automation tools remained the sole property of the platform owner
• Clients only had a limited, non-exclusive license to use the service during their subscription

SaaS + Consulting: Balancing Tech and Service

Many startups in the GCC combine SaaS platforms with consulting services. This hybrid model introduces questions like:

• Who owns the deliverables?
• Can a user record a consulting session and use it publicly?
• How are no-shows or reschedules handled?

We addressed these with:

• User guidelines
• Session policies
• Copyright disclaimers

It helped reduce friction between users and consultants while protecting the platform’s value.

Regulatory Insights in the GCC

Each country in the GCC has evolving digital laws. Some common themes we accounted for:

• E-commerce licensing: The platform needed a proper trade license
• VAT registration: Automated invoices had to include VAT ID and rates
• Payment gateways: Stripe and similar tools had to be disclosed in ToS and Privacy Policy
• Data residency: Hosting had to comply with local data storage regulations (e.g., health-related data in KSA)

By coordinating with local licensing consultants and using legal disclaimers properly, we ensured compliance from day one

Conclusion

Helping a SaaS platform launch in the GCC is not just about writing policies. It’s about embedding legal clarity into every part of the user experience—from the subscription page to the consultant call. By balancing platform tech, payment models, client expectations, and local laws, we helped our client build a legally sound foundation for growth.

If you’re planning to launch a SaaS business with subscriptions in the GCC—or anywhere—make legal compliance part of your launch checklist.