Checklist

Putting an AI data license in your data room

If you licensed company data before selling, the acquirer's team will want to see exactly what went out the door and on what terms. A tidy folder answers most of their questions before they ask.

Here is a structure that works.

AI Data Offers research deskChecked against our methodology Updated October 28, 2026 2 min read 9 sources

In this guide

Mercor

Folder 1: the agreement and the counterparty

The signed license and any amendments
Who the buyer is, and whether a broker sat in between
The exclusivity term, in the exact contract wording
Any referral or broker fee disclosures

Folder 2: scope and exclusions

Log each licensed system with its dates: chat workspace, Google or Microsoft 365 tenant, file storage, CRM, ticketing, code repos. Next to it, log everything excluded and the reason. Client-owned data, health information and sensitive HR files are the standard carve-outs.

Folder 3: personal data and security

Write down how personal data was removed, who did it, and which sample you signed off. Buyers often hire a specialist for de-identification. File the buyer's data retention and security promises alongside.

Folder 4: money

Keep payment records and the dates they arrived against the contract. Some buyers only pay after written acceptance of the delivery, so record the acceptance date as well. Note whether the deal paid once or shares revenue over time.

Questions to put to any data buyer

Is this a license of a copy, or a sale of the records outright?
Is it exclusive, and for how long? Can I license the same data elsewhere later?
Which systems and date ranges are in scope, and can I leave folders or whole tools out?
Who removes names and personal details, how, and do I approve a sample before anything leaves?
When does payment arrive, and does the clock start at signing or at your acceptance of the delivery?
Do I pay anything, and does anyone in the chain take a cut?
How long do you keep the copy, and what happens to it if you are acquired?

FAQ

Questions, answered

What goes in the data room?

The signed license, what was in and out of scope, how personal data was handled plus the approved sample, retention terms and proof of payment.

Will we have to name the licensee?

The acquirer will likely ask. If your license is confidential, ask counsel what you are allowed to disclose.

What exclusions are typical?

Client-owned data, health information and sensitive HR files.

Lump sum or recurring?

Either, by buyer. Some pay a single amount, others a running revenue share. Keep the payment clause on file.

Do we need the buyer's permission to share its contract?

Possibly, if the license has confidentiality terms. Ask counsel before uploading it.

Find the buyers that fit your company

Answer a few questions about your size, tools and history. We show which buyers want a company like yours. Free, no files.

Match my company What is my data worth?

Keep reading

Sources

Every number on this page links back to one of these.

Spot something wrong? See our corrections policy. Some buyers pay us a referral fee. How we make money.