license

A license is a formal permission granted by a competent authority to engage in an activity or to use something that would otherwise be restricted or owned. A license defines the scope of permitted actions, the duration, and any conditions or fees. Licenses are issued by government agencies, professional bodies, or private rights holders, and they can be revoked or altered if terms are violated.

Common categories include vehicle licenses to operate a motor vehicle, professional licenses to practice medicine or law, business licenses to operate a business, and broadcast or radio licenses. Software licenses govern the use, copying, modification, and redistribution of software and other works, often reflecting whether use is free, paid, exclusive, or non-exclusive.

Intellectual property licenses grant rights to use creative works, software, or inventions. They may be exclusive or non-exclusive, transferable or non-transferable, and may limit use by geography or time. Open licenses, such as Creative Commons, MIT, Apache, or GNU licenses, permit reuse under specified conditions and are widely used in education and development.

Licenses are issued by authorities or rights holders and are governed by terms that can include fees, reporting obligations, and renewal requirements. Compliance is enforced through withdrawal of rights, penalties, or injunctions. Some licenses are perpetual, others expire or terminate on breach, merger, or nonpayment. Transfers may be allowed with consent and notice.

In everyday use, the term license contrasts with permit, which is often a one-time authorization for a specific activity; a license often conveys ongoing rights to use a resource or engage in an activity under defined terms.