Royalties

/ˈrɔɪəltiz/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Payments made to the owner of intellectual property or natural resources for the right to use, produce, or sell the property or resource.
    The author receives royalties from book sales.
  2. (n.) Periodic payments made to landowners or rights holders for mineral extraction, such as oil or gas.
    The company pays royalties to the landowner for drilling rights.

Forms

  • royalty

Commentary

Distinct from license fees, royalties are typically contingent payments calculated as a percentage of revenue or production, reflecting ongoing use rather than a one-time purchase.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app