Nongrantable

Nongrantable (also spelled nongrantable) is an adjective used primarily in legal and contractual contexts to describe a right, license, or property interest that cannot be transferred, granted, or assigned to another party. The term is closely related to the concept of “non‑transferability” and often appears in documents dealing with intellectual property, software licenses, patents, and certain statutory provisions.

In intellectual‑property law, a nongrantable right may refer to a license that the holder is prohibited from sublicensing or sharing with third parties. For example, a royalty‑free music track may be exclusive to the original purchaser and nongrantable to others, meaning the purchaser cannot grant usage rights to a third party. Similarly, some software licenses included in open‑source projects explicitly state that certain core modules are nongrantable, ensuring that the core remains under the original author’s control.

The concept also applies to property laws. In some jurisdictions, inherited land may be declared nongrantable, limiting the ability of heirs to sell or retain the property beyond a specified period. This restriction typically serves regulatory or public‑interest purposes, such as preserving historic sites or protecting environmental resources.

Nongrantable rights are distinct from irrevocable rights. While an irrevocable right cannot be rescinded by the granting party, it may still be assignable unless expressly restricted. Nongrantability, by contrast, specifically prohibits any assignment or transfer regardless of the grantee’s intentions.

The English term “grant” historically means to give or bestow a legal right. “Non‑grantable” therefore denotes an inability to give or bestow that particular right.

In contractual drafting, parties often clarify the nongrantable nature of certain clauses to prevent unintended sublicensing or assignment, thereby preserving contractual integrity and complying with regulatory constraints. Related concepts include non‑transferable, non‑assignable, and irrevocable provisions.