|
Q.What are the essential terms in a license agreement?
A.A license gives one or more persons the right to use someone else’s asset(s). A License Agreement spells out the precise terms of those rights and the corresponding obligations. Common examples of a License Agreement are Trade Name License, Trademark License, Copyright License, Patent License, and Software License agreements. When you buy a software product, you only buy the right to use the software in limited ways — you don’t buy "ownership" of the software. If you are negotiating to obtain a license as the licensee, or if you find yourself in the situation of providing a license as a licensor to someone else, the License Agreement should address the following key points:
- Exclusivity/Nonexclusively:
The license can be exclusive or nonexclusive with respect to territory, purpose, and/or time.
- Term:
The license should set forth the length of the license, plus any renewal rights.
- Payment:
The license must clearly state how and when upfront payments and any periodic payments are required to maintain the license.
- Restrictions on use of the license:
The license should set forth any and all restrictions on use of the license, e.g., geographic areas, designated purposes, number of licensees, etc..
- Warranties:
The licensee should contain a statement that the licensor actually owns the licensed item and it does not infringe on the rights of any third parties.
- Termination:
The license should set forth the various circumstances upon which the Licensor may terminate the license early, e.g. failure to pay royalties on time.
|
|
