nonexclusive royalty-free license
Definition
A nonexclusive royalty-free license gives someone permission to use your work, like a photo, software, or piece of writing, without paying you a fee each time they use it. The nonexclusive part means you can give that same permission to as many other people as you want, so you never sign away ownership of your work.
Example
You create a logo and grant a marketing agency a nonexclusive royalty-free license to use it in their portfolio, which means they can show it off to potential clients without paying you a usage fee, and you can still license that same logo to other agencies too.
Watch Out
Read the fine print carefully because some agreements bury broad language that grants the other party a nonexclusive royalty-free license to your content forever, which is how social media platforms and apps quietly claim the right to use anything you upload.
See which terms appear in your contract?
This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.