Legal Definitions - nonmetered license

A nonmetered license is a type of permission or authorization that grants the holder the right to use a particular resource, service, or engage in an activity without the usage being tracked, measured, or charged on a per-unit, per-time, or per-transaction basis. Instead, it typically involves a flat fee or a one-time grant for unlimited use within the scope of the license. The key characteristic is that the extent of use does not directly impact the cost or validity of the license.

• Example 1: Software for a Business

  Imagine a small marketing agency that purchases a license for a popular video editing software. This license allows them to install the software on up to five computers within their office and use it an unlimited number of times for any client project. They pay a single upfront fee for this broad usage right. The software company does not track how many videos they edit, how many hours they spend using the program, or how many files they export. The agency's use is nonmetered because their cost does not increase based on the volume or frequency of their work with the software.

• Example 2: Professional Certification

  A certified public accountant (CPA) obtains a license from their state board of accountancy. Once granted, this license allows the CPA to provide accounting services to an unlimited number of clients, prepare any number of tax returns, and conduct audits for various businesses throughout the state. The CPA pays an annual or biennial renewal fee, but they do not pay additional fees based on the number of clients they serve, the complexity of the cases they handle, or the total revenue generated from their services. This is a nonmetered license because the right to practice is not tied to the volume of professional services rendered.

• Example 3: Digital Stock Photography Subscription

  A blogger subscribes to a stock photography website that offers a "premium" plan. For a fixed monthly fee, this plan allows the blogger to download and use an unlimited number of images from the website's entire library for their blog posts, social media, and promotional materials. The website does not charge extra for each image downloaded, nor does it limit the number of times an image can be used. This subscription is a nonmetered license because the blogger's access and usage rights are not restricted or charged based on the quantity of images they utilize.