Use Cases for Product Contracts

Content of this article

  1. Preliminary Remarks
  2. Examples for a Time-Based Product Contract
  3. Examples for an Issue-Based Product Contract

1. Preliminary Remarks

For a better understanding of product contracts, examples of time-based and issue-based product contracts are provided below.

Note: In the case of issue-based product contracts with a runtime until cancellation, it must always be borne in mind that the delivery list must be regularly extended.


2. Examples for a Time-Based Product Contract

Example 1



  • The runtime is set to 12 months. After 12 months, the subscription ends automatically.
    The subscription is bought on May 5th, 2024 and ends on April 30th, 2025.
  • The accounting period is set to 3 months.
    Settlement takes place on May 1st, on August 1st, on November 1st, etc.
  • The cancellation period is set to 2 months before the end of the subscription interval of 6 months.
    The subscription can be cancelled by August 31st at the latest.


Example 2

Until cancellation has been selected: The subscription is renewed time and again until the customer actively cancels it.




3. Examples for Issue-Based Product Contract

Example 1

  • Die Menge der Ausgaben pro Abrechnungszeitraum beträgt 12. / The Quantity of Issues per Billing Period is set to 12.
  • Thereof Chargeable Issues are set to 9. Meaning that the last 3 issues in this period are free of charge.
  • The cancellation period is set to 7 days before the end of the accounting period. 
    The 12 issues make up the accounting period. The contract can be cancelled until 7 days before delivery of the last (12th) issue at the latest.
  • Repeat Period until Cancellation
    • has been selected: The contract period of 12 deliveries (3 of which are free) is repeated until the customer cancels the subscription.
      The delivery list must be extended regularly.
    • has not been selected: The contract period ends automatically with the last issue delivered.

Example 2


  • The Quantity of Issues per Billing Period is set to 12.
  • Thereof Chargeable Issues is also set to 12.
  • The cancellation period is set to 2 days before the publication of each issue.
    The issue is published every Wednesday, for example. The subscription can always be canceled by Monday (2 days before Wednesday) at the latest. 
  • Repeat Period until Cancellation:
    • has been selected: The contract period of 12 issues repeats itself until the customer cancels the subscription.
      The delivery list must be extended regularly.
    • has not been selected: The contract period ends automatically with the last issue delivered.