Document background
The Common Use License template is designed for deployment in the Canadian legal context where an intellectual property owner wishes to make their content, software, or other materials available for widespread use under specific conditions. This document type is particularly relevant when the licensor wants to maintain certain rights while allowing multiple users to access and utilize the licensed material, similar to Creative Commons licenses but with more customizable terms. The agreement incorporates requirements from Canadian federal legislation, including the Copyright Act and PIPEDA, and considers provincial variations in consumer protection and electronic commerce laws. It's commonly used for open-source software, educational materials, creative works, and research outputs where broad distribution and usage are desired while maintaining appropriate controls and protections.
