License Examples

Real-world examples of NIL license configurations for different scenarios.

Social Media Campaign

Scenario: Beverage brand wants Instagram/TikTok posts from a college athlete

{
  "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness"],
  "use_type": ["brand_marketing", "paid_advertising"],
  "commercial_scope": "full_commercial",
  "exclusivity": "none",
  "territory": { "countries": ["US", "CA"] },
  "term": {
    "start_date": "2024-01-01",
    "end_date": "2024-06-30",
    "auto_renew": false
  },
  "derivative_rights": "limited",
  "ai_synthetic_use": "prohibited",
  "data_use": { "level": "none" },
  "attribution": "name_required",
  "sublicensing": "approved_partners",
  "content_safety": {
    "restricted_categories": ["alcohol", "tobacco", "sports_betting"],
    "morals_clause": "standard"
  }
}

Key points:

Non-exclusive (athlete can work with other brands)
Limited to US/CA
6-month campaign
Alcohol/tobacco restricted (athlete under 21)

Signature Apparel Deal

Scenario: 3-year exclusive athletic apparel partnership

{
  "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": { "global": true },
  "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,
    "purposes": ["performance_tracking", "product_development"]
  },
  "attribution": "name_required",
  "sublicensing": "approved_partners",
  "content_safety": {
    "restricted_categories": ["adult", "tobacco"],
    "morals_clause": "enhanced",
    "competitor_exclusions": ["Nike", "Adidas", "Under Armour", "Puma"]
  }
}

Key points:

Category exclusive (no other apparel deals)
Global territory
Auto-renewing annually
Full derivative rights with approval
Performance data allowed with opt-in

Documentary Film

Scenario: Documentary about college football featuring multiple athletes

{
  "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness"],
  "use_type": ["editorial", "educational"],
  "commercial_scope": "non_commercial",
  "exclusivity": "none",
  "territory": { "global": true },
  "term": {
    "start_date": "2024-01-01",
    "end_date": "2029-12-31"
  },
  "derivative_rights": "none",
  "ai_synthetic_use": "prohibited",
  "data_use": { "level": "none" },
  "attribution": "required",
  "sublicensing": "prohibited",
  "content_safety": {
    "restricted_categories": [],
    "morals_clause": "standard"
  }
}

Key points:

Non-commercial (can't be monetized directly)
5-year term for distribution
No modifications allowed
Full attribution required

UGC Meme Contest

Scenario: Brand runs a contest where fans create memes

{
  "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness"],
  "use_type": ["ugc_campaign"],
  "commercial_scope": "limited_commercial",
  "exclusivity": "none",
  "territory": { "global": true },
  "term": {
    "campaign_duration": "2024-Summer"
  },
  "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", "weapons", "politics"],
    "morals_clause": "enhanced",
    "content_moderation": "required"
  }
}

Key points:

UGC remix rights (fans can create derivatives)
Network sublicensing (social sharing)
Enhanced morals clause (protect athlete)
Strong content restrictions
Limited commercial scope

⚠️

UGC campaigns require robust content moderation. The brand must moderate all user submissions before publication.

Video Game Integration

Scenario: Athlete featured in sports video game

{
  "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness", "signature_marks", "performance_data"],
  "use_type": ["product_association", "internal_only"],
  "commercial_scope": "full_commercial",
  "exclusivity": "none",
  "territory": { "global": true },
  "term": {
    "start_date": "2024-01-01",
    "end_date": "2027-12-31",
    "auto_renew": true,
    "renewal_period": "annual"
  },
  "derivative_rights": "full_with_guardrails",
  "ai_synthetic_use": "avatar_only",
  "data_use": {
    "level": "identified_analytics_only",
    "opt_in_required": true,
    "purposes": ["game_mechanics", "player_ratings"]
  },
  "attribution": "required",
  "sublicensing": "prohibited",
  "content_safety": {
    "restricted_categories": [],
    "morals_clause": "standard",
    "esrb_rating_limit": "E10+"
  }
}

Key points:

Avatar creation allowed (digital likeness)
Performance data for player ratings
Multi-year term with renewal
Global distribution

Local Business Partnership

Scenario: Regional car dealership sponsorship

{
  "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness"],
  "use_type": ["brand_marketing", "paid_advertising"],
  "commercial_scope": "limited_commercial",
  "exclusivity": "none",
  "territory": {
    "states": ["CA"],
    "cities": ["Los Angeles", "San Diego"]
  },
  "term": {
    "start_date": "2024-01-01",
    "end_date": "2024-12-31",
    "auto_renew": true,
    "renewal_period": "annual"
  },
  "derivative_rights": "limited",
  "ai_synthetic_use": "prohibited",
  "data_use": { "level": "none" },
  "attribution": "name_required",
  "sublicensing": "prohibited",
  "content_safety": {
    "restricted_categories": [],
    "morals_clause": "standard"
  }
}

Key points:

Geographically restricted (Southern California)
Limited commercial scope (appropriate for regional business)
Non-exclusive (athlete can work with other dealers)

Multi-Brand NFT Drop

Scenario: Athlete NFT collection with multiple brand collaborations

{
  "subject_scope": ["name", "image", "likeness", "signature_marks", "synthetic_likeness"],
  "use_type": ["product_association"],
  "commercial_scope": "full_commercial",
  "exclusivity": "none",
  "territory": { "global": true },
  "term": {
    "perpetual": true
  },
  "derivative_rights": "full_with_guardrails",
  "ai_synthetic_use": "synthetic_fully_allowed",
  "data_use": { "level": "none" },
  "attribution": "required",
  "sublicensing": "approved_partners",
  "content_safety": {
    "restricted_categories": ["adult"],
    "morals_clause": "enhanced",
    "blockchain_rights": "included"
  }
}

Key points:

Perpetual term (NFTs exist forever)
Full AI/synthetic rights (generative art)
Global distribution
Strong content safety despite broad rights

Comparison Table

Use Case	Subject Scope	Commercial	Exclusivity	Term	Derivative	AI Use
Social Media	N+I+L	Full	None	6mo	Limited	None
Signature Deal	N+I+L+S	Full	Category	3yr	Full	Approved
Documentary	N+I+L	Non-comm	None	5yr	None	None
UGC Contest	N+I+L	Limited	None	Campaign	UGC Remix	Limited
Video Game	N+I+L+S+PD	Full	None	3yr	Full	Avatar
Local Business	N+I+L	Limited	None	1yr	Limited	None
NFT Drop	All	Full	None	Perpetual	Full	Full

Legend:

N = Name, I = Image, L = Likeness, S = Signature Marks, PD = Performance Data

Building These Examples

All examples can be built using the SDK:

import { 
  createCommercialLicense,
  createEducationalLicense,
  createUGCLicense,
  createExclusiveLicense
} from '@nil-taxonomy/sdk';
 
// Example 1: Social media
const social = createCommercialLicense()
  .setTerritoryCountries(['US', 'CA'])
  .setTerm('2024-01-01', '2024-06-30')
  .build();
 
// Example 2: Signature deal
const signature = createExclusiveLicense(['athletic_apparel'])
  .setTerritoryGlobal()
  .setTerm('2024-01-01', '2026-12-31', true, 'annual')
  .build();
 
// Example 3: Documentary
const doc = createEducationalLicense()
  .setTerritoryGlobal()
  .setTerm('2024-01-01', '2029-12-31')
  .build();

Next Steps

Base Licenses Governance Overview