GENERAL LICENSE (control/reps)

Updated: Nov. 1, 2025

1. What is it?

A General License Agreement states that the Licensor owns or controls all rights necessary to license out the property to the Licensee. No other clearances are needed.

2. Who is it for?

General licenses are for producers, filmmakers, editors, or content creators who don't want any hassles and want their distributors and buyers to feel safe and not ask for more clearances down the road. This is the best type of license but usually more expensive.

Typical users include:

• Independent filmmakers or documentarians

• Video editors using archival footage or music

• Producers incorporating third-party clips or audio

• Content creators needing quick licenses without complex guarantees

3. What does it include?

The agreement includes a grant of an exclusive or non-exclusive right for the Licensee to use the material in a specified project, detailing how the material will be used (e.g., in a film, commercial, or other media).

A general license will include representations and warranties that the material is fully cleared or does not require additional clearances.

Key terms and paragraphs include:

• Grant of Rights: Exclusive or Non-exclusive license to use the specified material in the named project.

• Consideration: Amount paid (often nominal for quitclaims, e.g., $1.00) for the license grant.

• Warranty: The Licensor will provide warranties or, for quitclaims, disclaims all warranties, including clearance of rights and music rights.

• Licensee Responsibility: In a quitclaim the Licensee is responsible for clearing all rights, permissions, and licenses.

• Condition Precedent: License depends on full payment of consideration by a specific date.

• Execution and Delivery: Binding nature of electronic/facsimile signatures and requirement to retain originals.

4. What Licenses are included?

• Standard License: Licensor is representing and warranting that the licensed property is fully cleared for the licensed use.

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