Which statement best describes a license in copyright law?

Which statement best describes a license in copyright law?

• A. License is a permanent transfer of ownership
• B. License is a temporary grant of permission
• C. License confers no rights
• D. License is optional for use

Answer: (B)

A license is permission from the copyright owner to use a work under defined terms, while ownership stays with the creator. It sets how, where, for what purpose, and for how long the work can be used, and may be exclusive or non-exclusive. Because it grants use without transferring ownership, it’s best described as a temporary grant of permission. Using the work beyond what the license allows would be infringement unless another exception applies, rather than simply being optional.

A license is permission from the copyright owner to use a work under defined terms, while ownership stays with the creator. It sets how, where, for what purpose, and for how long the work can be used, and may be exclusive or non-exclusive. Because it grants use without transferring ownership, it’s best described as a temporary grant of permission. Using the work beyond what the license allows would be infringement unless another exception applies, rather than simply being optional.