What does licensor mean?
A licensor is the person or organization that grants permission to use intellectual property, including copyrighted works, software, music, films, trademarks, and inventions. The permission is set out in a license, which may specify such matters as the permitted uses, duration, territory, payment, and conditions of distribution. The term is especially common in publishing, entertainment, technology, and business, where ownership and authorized use must be distinguished clearly. A licensor therefore need not own the relevant property absolutely; it may simply hold the right to authorize others to use it. In a typical arrangement, the licensor grants rights, while the recipient of those rights is called the licensee. The word is formal and legalistic, so ordinary speakers will often say that a company or artist gave permission rather than use the noun directly. Despite its specialized role, it expresses an important distinction: granting permission is not the same as possessing or receiving it.
nounA licensor is a person or organization that grants another party permission to use, reproduce, distribute, or sell intellectual property under specified terms.
- A person or organization that grants permission to use, reproduce, distribute, or sell intellectual property under a license.
"The software licensor permits approved distributors to market the application under an agreement."
"The music licensor approved the campaign's use of the recording."
"Under the agreement, the licensor retains ownership while authorizing the publisher to distribute the work."
The plural is used when referring to multiple parties that grant licenses or authorize specified uses.
"The contract identifies the licensors as the copyright owners and their authorized agents."
Behind every licensed song, film, or software package is a licensor deciding who may use it—and on what terms.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does licensor come from?
Licensor is an agent noun formed from license and the suffix -or, meaning a person who performs the action of licensing. The older root reaches back through Middle English licence to Latin licentia, from licere, “to allow or permit.” Related forms include licensee, the party receiving a license, and licit, meaning lawful or permitted.
Related word forms
How licensor is actually used
Chiefly used in legal, publishing, entertainment, and software contexts. It is less common in everyday speech than licence or license, and its counterpart, licensee, is used for the party receiving permission.
Easily confused with licensor
A licensor grants a license, whereas a licensee receives permission to exercise the rights granted by that license.
A licensor is the noun naming the party that grants a license, while licenser is an alternative spelling often used in legal and business contexts.