Data licensing vs data brokerage

A licence gives permission to use specified material for agreed purposes. The agreement should identify the records, permitted uses, restrictions, duration, exclusivity and what happens when the licence ends.

Permission to use a copy is not the same as an assignment of ownership. Read the actual agreement: do not assume that every arrangement called licensing leaves every right with the company.

In ordinary commercial language, a broker helps arrange a transaction between parties. Its responsibilities depend on what it agrees to do: for example, finding buyers, discussing terms or coordinating a deal.

A broker can help arrange a licence. The words are not opposites. A business described as a data broker may also collect or distribute information; legal definitions vary, so a label alone does not tell you its obligations or what happens to the records.

Nordic MarTech is an independent referrer. We never hold, move, clean, value or sell company records. Companies pay us nothing; we may receive a referral fee. We do not negotiate a licence or give legal clearance.

The fit check stays in your browser. A result helps you choose a next step; it does not authorise sharing, confirm buyer acceptance or create a licensing agreement. Do not send company records or personal data in an enquiry.

Illustrative: a company has operational manuals that it has authority to license. It discusses a proposed licence directly with a buyer, and its own adviser reviews the terms. The licence defines the buyer's permitted use.

If a separate business were appointed to negotiate that transaction, that would be an arranging role distinct from the licence itself. An independent referral simply points the company towards the buyer; it does not settle ownership, privacy or the price.

Who is receiving permission, and for what uses? Which records and rights are included? Is the permission exclusive? Can it be transferred or sublicensed? What happens on termination? Ask for written answers in the proposed agreement.

Who owns the rights, who has authority to act, and which contracts or confidentiality duties restrict disclosure? Personal data needs a separate review, including lawful use, security and any international transfer. Anonymisation is not a substitute for checking the other obligations.

General information, not legal advice; take your own advice. Country source guides are starting points, not approval for a particular collection of records.

Built for companies from 30 staff — SMEs first. Start with micro1's published criteria and the browser-only fit check. Criteria are micro1's and can change. A multi-office company is one example, not the only fit.

Mode comes second, through warm introductions only. Read its own programme guide rather than assuming the same criteria or terms apply. Nordic MarTech is an independent referrer; we may receive a referral fee and you pay nothing.