Selfuse

Selfuse is a term used to describe the act of using something for one’s own purposes rather than sharing, selling, or distributing it. It can apply to physical goods, energy, software, or other resources. In many contexts, self-use is contrasted with external use or redistribution and is often governed by policies, licenses, or regulations that define acceptable personal use.

Etymology: the term is a blend of self- and use; usage appears in various domains since the mid-20th century, though it is not universally standardized and is sometimes written as self-use or with different hyphenation.

In energy, self-use or self-consumption refers to energy generated on-site (for example, by rooftop solar) that is consumed on the premises, with policy models that may encourage self-consumption through mechanisms like net-metering or feed-in tariffs.

In software and licensing, a self-use license permits a single user or device to use the software for personal purposes, distinct from site licenses or multi-user enterprise licenses. In corporate asset management, self-use refers to the use of company-owned devices or resources by employees for personal tasks under defined policies.

Legal and policy considerations commonly address the boundaries between self-use and redistribution or resale, potential tax implications, and the need to balance user convenience with producer rights and revenue models. Critics may argue that permissive self-use arrangements can reduce incentives for distribution or licensing, while proponents view them as clarifying acceptable personal use and simplifying access.

See also: self-consumption, internal use, license, net metering, user rights.