License
License: Permission from a government authority to do something that would otherwise be unlawful, such as driving on public roads, practicing law or operating certain businesses. The Supreme Court has upheld state laws requiring motor vehicles to be registered and drivers to be licensed (Hendrick v. Maryland, 235 U.S. 610 (1915)). In property law, a license is a personal, usually revocable permission to enter or use another's land, and in intellectual property it is permission to use a patent, copyright or trademark.
What license means
In practice, you will see license in pleadings, motions, orders and court rules. The definition above explains the general meaning. Even so, the meaning can shift with context. Therefore, always read it alongside the rule or document where it appears.
Where license comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if license appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read license in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Legal person: any being or entity the law recognizes as having rights and duties. It includes human beings and entities such as corporations. Compare natural person and legal personality.
- Legal personality: the capacity to hold legal rights and duties, such as owning property, making contracts, and suing or being sued.
- Legal tender: money that the law recognizes as a valid offer of payment for debts.
- Lender: a person or institution that lends money, usually in exchange for repayment with interest.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.