"What's In a License Grant? It Turns Out, Everything!"

In my work with product leaders, founders, and technical teams, I've noticed a common blind spot: data licensing. Everyone's excited about building innovative products and leveraging data for growth, but the legal foundation often gets overlooked. It's like building a skyscraper on sand – without a solid license, your entire data strategy is at risk.

I learned this the hard way in my prior role at ZoomInfo . While enforcing licensing agreements wasn't glamorous, it was crucial. I saw firsthand how partners who violated the terms faced disastrous consequences, including astronomical damages calculations that could run into the millions.

The problem is, the traditional data broker model often creates a conflict of interest. Their licenses are designed to maximize their own monetization, not necessarily yours. This can lead to confusion, frustration, and even legal battles.

That's where the 5x5 Data Co-op offers a refreshing alternative. Our member-centric approach aligns with the way data "should be" – accessible, usable, and empowering. We want our members to focus on building amazing products and serving their customers, not worrying about licensing landmines.

Here's the bottom line: data custody isn't enough. You need a robust license that clearly outlines your rights to use, share, and monetize the data. If your contract doesn't explicitly call out these permissions, you're potentially in trouble.

The 5x5 Data Co-op offers a simple, transparent solution that eliminates these headaches. We believe in empowering our members with data, not holding them back with restrictive licenses.

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