A sale transfers an asset.

An outright sale can transfer ownership of the specified asset. The details depend on the agreement. It prices the transferred record at a particular point in time.

A license defines permitted use.

A license can permit a specific use while the owner retains the underlying data. The duration, permitted users, exclusivity, renewal, and treatment of new records must be explicit.

Growth changes the conversation.

A business continues producing history. Updated packages and renewals can be negotiated separately. A license should also be assessed against a planned sale of the business.