licenser or licensor

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person or organization that officially gives someone else permission to use something they own or control.

   Grammar: Countable noun; use 'a licensor' or 'the licensor' and the plural 'licensors'.

   Patterns

   • licensor of something
   • act as licensor
   • the licensor grants a license

   Under the agreement, the licensor keeps ownership of the trademark.

   The software company is the licensor, and each user is a licensee.

   She works as a licensor of music rights for film producers.

2. 2nouncountableold-fashioned

   An official whose job is to give out licenses, especially for selling alcohol.

   Grammar: Countable and usually written 'licenser' in this older official sense.

   Patterns

   • the licenser of a district
   • appointed as licenser

   In the past, a local licenser decided which inns could sell beer.

   The licenser refused to renew the shop's permit.

Word forms

Common combinations

licensor and licensee

The contract clearly names the licensor and the licensee.

act as licensor

The museum acts as licensor for images of its paintings.

licensor of a patent

As licensor of the patent, he receives yearly royalties.

sole licensor

The firm is the sole licensor of that brand in Europe.

Synonyms and how they differ

grantor

Used in law for anyone who formally grants a right, but it is broader and not limited to licenses.

owner

Focuses on who holds the property, while 'licensor' stresses who gives permission to use it.

Opposites

Word family

license noun

Official permission to do or use something.

license verb

To give official permission for something.

licensee noun

The person or company that receives a license.

licensing noun

The activity or system of granting licenses.

Commonly confused: licenser or licensor or licensee?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “licenser or licensor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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