License vs sale: what you are actually signing
The difference between a license and a sale of company data is ownership: a sale transfers your records outright and permanently; a licence grants a defined use of a copy — scope, term, sometimes exclusivity — while you keep ownership. Almost every published AI data programme is a licence, including micro1's, which states companies keep ownership of their underlying data.
By LicenseMyDataToAI.com · General information, not legal advice · Reviewed 10 November 2026
| Licence | Outright sale | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Stays with you | Transfers to the buyer |
| Use again | Yes — including licensing again if non-exclusive | No |
| End of term | Rights revert per the licence | Nothing reverts |
| Price logic | Scope × term × exclusivity | One-time, must price forever-use at once |
| Typical in this market | Standard (micro1, Mercor programmes) | Rare; wind-down archives are the main exception |
Questions to ask any buyer using the word “sell”
- Is this legally a licence or an assignment? Show me the clause.
- If it is a licence: what scope, what term, is it exclusive?
- Can I license the same records to another buyer later?
- What happens to delivered copies when the term ends?
Closed or closing company? Wind-down archives are priced differently — see closed company data.
Get terms compared before you sign anything
The interview covers which buyers fit and which terms to expect — before any manifest is shared.
General information only, not legal advice. Have a lawyer review any licence or sale agreement before signing.
Cite this entry: License My Data to AI. “License vs Sale: Selling Company Data to AI, Explained.” Content reviewed 10 November 2026. Figures on this page are published buyer ranges with sources and check dates shown — they are not offers.