A licence lets someone use something you own without giving it away, and the value sits entirely in the drafting.
Scope, exclusivity, territory, term and what happens at the end decide whether you have created a revenue stream or handed over an asset for a one-off payment.
Ambiguity favours whoever is already in possession, so loose wording about permitted uses, sub-licensing or derivative works usually costs the owner rather than the licensee.
A licence grants permission to use intellectual property, software, content or know-how on defined terms.
We help with:
- licensing out your brand, content, technology or know-how;
- taking a licence of someone else’s IP for your own product or service;
- royalty structures, minimum guarantees and audit rights; and
- sub-licensing, distribution and reseller layers built on a licence.
We define exactly what is licensed and for what purpose, whether it is exclusive, where it applies and for how long, what happens to improvements and derivative works, quality control where a trade mark is involved, and how the licence ends and what must stop when it does.
For software licensing and distribution specifically, see Tech and AI. For trade mark and IP licensing, see Intellectual Property.
Our Approach
Legal advice that makes running and growing your business easier.
We start with your business, not the law.
Before we open a document, we want to understand what you are trying to do commercially. The legal answer is only useful if it serves that.
We get to the point.
You get a clear view of what matters and what does not, in plain English, with the real risks separated from the noise.
We give you an answer.
Not a menu of options and a shrug. We tell you what we would do, why, and where there is a genuine judgment call for you to make.
We stay available.
Whether you work with us on a single project or on a subscription, we are here for the follow-up question. We would always rather you asked.
Ways of working together
Fixed-fee projects
A single, defined piece of work for an agreed fixed fee, communicated before we engage. Reviewing a contract, drafting your terms, handling a negotiation.
No surprises and no hidden fees
Flagship Subscription
Ares Access
Ongoing support on a fixed monthly subscription, for businesses that need commercial legal input regularly rather than as the occasional one-off.
- Dedicated lawyer
- Fixed monthly fees
- Commercial advice on demand
From £500 plus VAT per month
Legal Health Check
Fixed fee of £2,000 plus VAT
Any questions?
Phone: 02382 420035
