Licensor Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Licensor, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Licensor?

(n) Licensor is the person or legal entity who has got authority to grant legal permission for performing certain acts, conducts, activities etc which are restricted or otherwise controlled as a matter of policy.

History and Meaning of Licensor

A licensor is a person or entity that legally allows someone else to perform certain restricted activities. This term is typically used in the context of intellectual property, where a licensor grants a licensee the right to use a patented invention or copyrighted work. The relationship between a licensor and licensee is governed by a licensing agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of the license.

The history of licensing can be traced back to the 15th century when the printing press was invented. Publishers would license their works to other printers, allowing them to make copies and sell them in other parts of the world. Today, licensing is a common practice in a variety of industries, including software, music, and pharmaceuticals.

Examples of Licensor

  1. A software company that creates a new program and licenses it to other companies to use for their own purposes.
  2. A musician who licenses their music to a movie producer for use in a film.
  3. A pharmaceutical company that licenses its patents to other companies to produce and sell generic versions of its drugs.
  4. A franchisor that licenses its brand and business model to franchisees who want to open their own locations.
  5. An author who grants a publisher the right to publish and distribute their book in exchange for a royalty payment.

Legal Terms Similar to Licensor

  1. Licensee - A person or company that is granted a license by a licensor.
  2. Copyright - A legal right that protects original works of authorship, including books, movies, music, and software.
  3. Patent - A legal right granted to an inventor that prevents others from making, using, or selling their invention without permission.
  4. Trademark - A word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services from those of others.
  5. Franchise - A business model in which a franchisor grants a license to a franchisee to operate their own business using the franchisor's brand and system.