MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
Необязательное соглашение между двумя или более сторонами, в котором изложены условия и детали понимания, включая требования и обязанности каждой из сторон. Меморандум о взаимопонимании часто является первым этапом в формировании официального контракта.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is a type of agreement between two (bilateral) or more (multilateral) parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used either in cases where parties do not imply a legal commitment or in situations where the parties cannot create a legally enforceable agreement. It is a more formal alternative to a gentlemen’s agreement.

Whether a document constitutes a binding contract depends only on the presence or absence of well-defined legal elements in the text proper of the document (the so-called «four corners»). The required elements are: offer and acceptance, consideration, and the intention to be legally bound (animus contrahendi). In the US, the specifics can differ slightly depending on whether the contract is for goods (falls under the Uniform Commercial Code) or services (falls under the common law of the state).

Many companies and government agencies use MoUs to define a relationship between departments, agencies or closely held companies.
On Wednesday 17th April 2019, Siemens Ltd. and VNPT- Information Technology company signed MoU on the field of digital factory.

The Assam government on Thursday signed an MoU with Google India Pvt. Ltd. to take Internet connectivity to the remotest part of the north-eastern state.

India signs MoU with Russia to fast-track North-South corridor.