Base License Templates

Pre-configured license templates that serve as starting points for common NIL use cases.

Overview

The NIL Taxonomy includes 4 base license templates:

Code	Name	Primary Use
`NIL-EDU`	Educational License	Documentaries, news, classroom
`NIL-COMM-STD`	Standard Commercial	Brand campaigns, endorsements
`NIL-COMM-DERIV`	Commercial + UGC	Meme campaigns, UGC contests
`NIL-EXCL-CAT`	Category Exclusive	Official brand partnerships

All base licenses can be customized using the SDK Builder.

NIL-EDU: Educational License

For documentary films, news coverage, and educational materials

Configuration

{
  "code": "NIL-EDU",
  "name": "Educational License",
  "config": {
    "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness"],
    "use_type": ["editorial", "educational"],
    "commercial_scope": "non_commercial",
    "exclusivity": "none",
    "territory": { "global": true },
    "term": { "campaign_duration": "project" },
    "derivative_rights": "none",
    "ai_synthetic_use": "prohibited",
    "data_use": { "level": "none" },
    "attribution": "required",
    "sublicensing": "prohibited",
    "content_safety": {
      "restricted_categories": [],
      "morals_clause": "standard"
    }
  }
}

Use Cases

Documentary films about collegiate sports
News coverage and journalism
Educational videos and classroom materials
Academic research publications
Historical archives

SDK Usage

import { createEducationalLicense } from '@nil-taxonomy/sdk';
 
const eduLicense = createEducationalLicense()
  .setTerritoryCountries(['US'])
  .setTerm('2024-01-01', '2024-12-31')
  .build();

Key Restrictions

No commercial use - Cannot monetize content
Attribution required - Must credit athlete
No derivatives - Use as-is only
No AI generation - Original content only

Educational licenses are typically low-cost or no-cost, balancing athlete exposure with educational value.

NIL-COMM-STD: Standard Commercial

For standard brand campaigns and endorsements

Configuration

{
  "code": "NIL-COMM-STD",
  "name": "Standard Commercial",
  "config": {
    "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness"],
    "use_type": ["brand_marketing", "paid_advertising"],
    "commercial_scope": "full_commercial",
    "exclusivity": "none",
    "territory": { "countries": ["US"] },
    "term": {
      "start_date": "2024-01-01",
      "end_date": "2025-12-31",
      "auto_renew": false
    },
    "derivative_rights": "limited",
    "ai_synthetic_use": "prohibited",
    "data_use": { "level": "aggregated_anon" },
    "attribution": "name_required",
    "sublicensing": "approved_partners",
    "content_safety": {
      "restricted_categories": ["adult", "tobacco"],
      "morals_clause": "standard"
    }
  }
}

Use Cases

Brand endorsement campaigns
Social media advertising
Print and digital advertising
Product packaging (non-exclusive)
Retail promotions

SDK Usage

import { createCommercialLicense } from '@nil-taxonomy/sdk';
 
const commercialLicense = createCommercialLicense()
  .setTerritoryCountries(['US', 'CA'])
  .setTerm('2024-01-01', '2025-12-31')
  .addRestrictedCategory('alcohol')
  .addRestrictedCategory('sports_betting')
  .build();

Key Features

Non-exclusive - Athlete can work with multiple brands
Limited derivatives - Minor editing allowed
No AI generation - Real images/video only
Approved partners - Can sublicense to agencies/retailers

NIL-COMM-DERIV: Commercial + UGC

For meme campaigns, UGC contests, and remix culture

Configuration

{
  "code": "NIL-COMM-DERIV",
  "name": "Commercial + UGC",
  "config": {
    "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness"],
    "use_type": ["brand_marketing", "ugc_campaign"],
    "commercial_scope": "limited_commercial",
    "exclusivity": "none",
    "territory": { "global": true },
    "term": {
      "start_date": "2024-06-01",
      "end_date": "2024-08-31"
    },
    "derivative_rights": "ugc_remix",
    "ai_synthetic_use": "limited_depiction_only",
    "data_use": { "level": "none" },
    "attribution": "optional",
    "sublicensing": "network_allowed",
    "content_safety": {
      "restricted_categories": ["adult", "tobacco", "alcohol"],
      "morals_clause": "enhanced"
    }
  }
}

Use Cases

Social media meme campaigns
UGC contests and challenges
Fan art campaigns
Remix competitions
Viral marketing campaigns

SDK Usage

import { createUGCLicense } from '@nil-taxonomy/sdk';
 
const ugcLicense = createUGCLicense()
  .setTerritoryGlobal()
  .setTerm('2024-06-01', '2024-08-31')
  .setSublicensing('network_allowed')
  .setContentSafety({
    restricted_categories: ['adult', 'tobacco', 'alcohol', 'weapons'],
    morals_clause: 'enhanced'
  })
  .build();

Key Features

UGC remix rights - Fans can create derivative works
Network sublicensing - Can be shared on social platforms
Limited AI - Can enhance existing content
Enhanced morals clause - Stricter content safety

⚠️

UGC campaigns require robust content moderation. The enhanced morals clause protects athletes from inappropriate user-generated content.

NIL-EXCL-CAT: Category Exclusive

For official brand partnerships with category exclusivity

Configuration

{
  "code": "NIL-EXCL-CAT",
  "name": "Category Exclusive",
  "config": {
    "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness", "signature_marks"],
    "use_type": ["brand_marketing", "paid_advertising", "product_association"],
    "commercial_scope": "full_commercial",
    "exclusivity": "category_exclusive",
    "exclusive_categories": ["athletic_apparel"],
    "territory": { "countries": ["US"] },
    "term": {
      "start_date": "2024-01-01",
      "end_date": "2026-12-31",
      "auto_renew": true,
      "renewal_period": "annual"
    },
    "derivative_rights": "full_with_guardrails",
    "ai_synthetic_use": "synthetic_allowed_with_approval",
    "data_use": {
      "level": "identified_analytics_only",
      "opt_in_required": true
    },
    "attribution": "name_required",
    "sublicensing": "approved_partners",
    "content_safety": {
      "restricted_categories": ["adult", "tobacco"],
      "morals_clause": "enhanced",
      "competitor_exclusions": ["Competitor Brand A"]
    }
  }
}

Use Cases

Official athletic apparel deals (Nike, Adidas, etc.)
Signature beverage partnerships
Exclusive supplement endorsements
Long-term brand ambassador roles

SDK Usage

import { createExclusiveLicense } from '@nil-taxonomy/sdk';
 
const exclusiveLicense = createExclusiveLicense(['athletic_apparel', 'beverages'])
  .setTerritoryCountries(['US'])
  .setTerm('2024-01-01', '2026-12-31', true, 'annual')
  .setDataUseLevel('identified_analytics_only', true)
  .addCompetitorExclusion('Nike')
  .addCompetitorExclusion('Adidas')
  .build();

Key Features

Category exclusivity - Athlete cannot work with competitors in specified categories
Signature marks - Includes jersey number, signature
Full derivative rights - Extensive creative freedom
AI with approval - Synthetic content allowed with pre-approval
Data analytics - Performance data use permitted

Category exclusive deals typically command 3-5x higher compensation than non-exclusive deals due to opportunity cost.

Customizing Base Licenses

All base licenses can be customized:

import { NILTaxonomyClient, NILLicenseBuilder } from '@nil-taxonomy/sdk';
 
// Fetch base license
const client = new NILTaxonomyClient({
  baseUrl: process.env.NIL_TAXONOMY_API_URL!,
  apiKey: process.env.NIL_TAXONOMY_API_KEY!,
});
 
const base = await client.getBaseLicense('NIL-COMM-STD', 'v1');
 
// Customize
const custom = NILLicenseBuilder.fromBase(base)
  .setTerritoryCountries(['US', 'CA', 'MX'])
  .addRestrictedCategory('alcohol')
  .setTerm('2024-01-01', '2024-12-31')
  .build();

Comparison Chart

Feature	EDU	COMM-STD	COMM-DERIV	EXCL-CAT
Commercial Use	No	Yes	Limited	Yes
Exclusivity	None	None	None	Category
Derivative Rights	None	Limited	UGC Remix	Full
AI Use	Prohibited	Prohibited	Limited	Approved
Sublicensing	No	Partners	Network	Partners
Typical Term	Project	1 year	Campaign	2-3 years
Typical Comp	Low/Free	$$$	$$	$$$$$

Fetching Base Licenses

Get All Base Licenses

const licenses = await client.getBaseLicenses('v1');
 
licenses.forEach(license => {
  console.log(`${license.code}: ${license.name}`);
  console.log(`Use case: ${license.description}`);
});

Get Specific Base License

const eduLicense = await client.getBaseLicense('NIL-EDU', 'v1');
const commLicense = await client.getBaseLicense('NIL-COMM-STD', 'v1');

Next Steps

Dimensions Examples