not for commercial use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not for commercial use" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is intended solely for personal or non-profit purposes and should not be used for business or profit-making activities. Example: "This software is provided free of charge, but it is not for commercial use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Any items you make from the patterns are not for commercial use or for re-sale.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, you can legally film passers-by and crowds in a public place as long as your footage is not for commercial use.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

EM and NML came close to seizing $105m parked with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, but an appeals court ruled that the money was not for "commercial" use and was thus immune.

The Economist

And there's a new right for text and data-mining of copyrighted material — but only for research purposes (not for commercial use cases).

TechCrunch

In addition, simply using a program to spell check or format your text does not take away your ownership, even if the program is not for commercial use.

WikiHow

There is legal precedence in this case; the law says that whatever you type into a text editor is your property, regardless of if that text editor was pirated, not for commercial use, or anything else.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Modelling tools and software that are reported in papers but not available for commercial use are not included in this chapter; these advanced simulators will be examined in a planned second book.

Braiding Technology for Textiles Principles, Design and Processes

In New York, about 75% of residential properties are not zoned for commercial use, but most commercially-zoned properties can be used for residential purposes, said Ivona Perecman, a real estate agent in New York, who specialises in urban lofts.

BBC

"Why not buy a 60-by-100 lot with a small ranch on it?" The building is not on a historic registry and is not zoned for commercial use.

The New York Times

They would also be built on brownfield land that has already been earmarked for development but which is not needed for commercial use.

The Guardian

"Our engineers are nervous about it because they were not designed for commercial use," said Wade Hoyt, a Toyota spokesman, who added that the company sold 270,000 hybrids last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When granting access to digital resources, clearly state "not for commercial use" to prevent unauthorized monetization. This helps protect your intellectual property and ensures intended usage.

Common error

Don't assume "not for commercial use" automatically equates to fair use. Fair use has specific legal definitions, especially in copyright law. Even if something isn't used for commercial purposes, other factors determine if it qualifies as fair use, such as the nature of the copyrighted work and the amount used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not for commercial use" functions primarily as a restrictive modifier, limiting the permissible applications of a product, service, or piece of content. This is consistent with Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not for commercial use" is a common and grammatically sound way to specify that something should only be used for personal, non-profit activities. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and, while only appearing in a moderate number of examples, it’s a clear indicator of restricted usage rights. Alternative phrases, such as "personal use only" or "non-commercial purposes only", can be used to convey similar meanings. When using or encountering this phrase, understanding the nuances of fair use and specific licensing terms is crucial to avoid potential misuse. The phrase is most commonly encountered in news, wiki, and scientific contexts, reflecting its widespread relevance across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal use only

Specifies that usage is confined to individual, non-business purposes.

non-commercial purposes only

Emphasizes the absence of any commercial intent in the use of the item or resource.

for private use only

Limits the usage to personal and secluded contexts, excluding any public or business application.

not for resale

Prohibits the act of buying something with the intention of selling it for profit.

for research purposes only

Indicates that the item is to be used solely for academic or scientific investigations.

not for profit

Highlights that the item or activity should not generate any financial gain.

without commercial intent

Clarifies that there should be no business-related motivations behind the use.

for non-business use

Simply states that the use is not related to any business activities.

solely for individual use

Reiterates that the usage is restricted to a single person and not a company.

restricted to personal use

Highlights that there are constraints limiting use to personal applications.

FAQs

What does "not for commercial use" mean?

It means that the item or resource should not be used for any business or profit-generating activities. It's intended for personal or non-profit purposes only.

What can I say instead of "not for commercial use"?

You can use alternatives like "personal use only", "non-commercial purposes only", or "for private use only" depending on the context.

Is "not for commercial use" the same as fair use?

No, they are not the same. "Not for commercial use" restricts the purpose of the usage, while fair use is a legal doctrine allowing limited use of copyrighted material without permission, regardless of commercial intent. They address different aspects of usage rights.

Can I use something "not for commercial use" for educational purposes?

Generally, yes, educational use is often considered non-commercial. However, always check the specific terms of the license or agreement. If the educational use involves generating revenue (e.g., selling course materials), it might violate the "not for commercial use" restriction.