Final answer:
The key difference between a commercial and a non-commercial license is that commercial licenses allow for profits from the use of the licensed material, while non-commercial licenses prohibit such use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between a commercial license and a non-commercial license involves the scope of how the licensed material can be used. A commercial license allows individuals or entities to use the licensed material for commercial gains, meaning they can potentially earn money from its use.
In contrast, a non-commercial license specifically prohibits the use of the licensed material for commercial purposes. Instead, it is typically restricted to personal or educational use where no profit is being made.
Under a non-commercial license clause, you are often required to give proper attribution to the original creator, provide a link to the license, and indicate if any changes were made to the original work.
This must be done in a manner that does not imply endorsement by the original licensor. Moreover, if you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same non-commercial license as the original work, often referred to as ShareAlike.
Occupational licenses is another area where licensing plays a critical role. These are required by individuals to legally operate in certain professions. While such licenses can ensure a certain level of quality and safety for consumers, they can also act as a barrier to entry for new competitors in an industry, potentially leading to higher prices and less consumer choice.