D&B owns the DUNS number system and grants businesses a limited license to use their own DUNS number only for internal identification, not for external or commercial purposes beyond that narrow use.
This analysis describes what Dun & Bradstreet's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
Many businesses use their DUNS number in supplier registration, government contracting, and financial applications; the license explicitly excludes linkage DUNS numbers and limits use to internal identification, which may affect how businesses can reference their DUNS number in external-facing contexts.
Businesses that have a DUNS number can use it for internal identification, but the license specifically excludes linkage DUNS numbers and restricts use to that narrow purpose; businesses should not use their DUNS number in ways that exceed this limited license without D&B's authorization.
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"Dun & Bradstreet DUNS® Numbers are proprietary to and controlled by Dun & Bradstreet. Dun & Bradstreet grants you a non-exclusive, perpetual, limited license to use DUNS® Numbers (excluding linkage DUNS® Numbers) solely for identification purposes and only for your internal business use. Where practicable, you will refer to the number as a "DUNS® Number" and state that DUNS® is a registered trademark of Dun & Bradstreet.— Excerpt from Dun & Bradstreet's D&B Terms of Use
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The DUNS number has been widely used in US federal procurement, previously required by the federal government for contractor registration, though the government has transitioned to the Unique Entity Identifier system administered by SAM.gov; this context makes the scope of the D&B license relevant for businesses in the federal contracting space. Intellectual property law, specifically trademark and trade secret protections, underpins D&B's assertion of proprietary control over DUNS numbers. The FTC has jurisdiction over deceptive trade practices that could arise from misrepresentation of trademark status. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Low for most users. The license restriction is unlikely to affect typical business use of a DUNS number for identification in standard commercial contexts. However, the explicit exclusion of linkage DUNS numbers may be relevant for multinational corporations or businesses with complex corporate structures that use DUNS linkage for organizational mapping. JURISDICTION FLAGS: Federal procurement regulations in the US have shifted away from mandatory DUNS number use following the SAM.gov transition, reducing the regulatory significance of this license for federal contractors. International users should note that the DUNS system has global reach and the license terms apply to use in any jurisdiction. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Businesses that reference DUNS numbers in third-party contracts, supplier portals, or public filings should ensure their use falls within the internal identification license. Organizations that have previously used DUNS numbers for linkage or organizational hierarchy purposes should assess whether their use is covered by the stated license. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams should note the attribution requirement, specifically referring to the number as a 'DUNS® Number' and acknowledging the trademark where practicable, and assess whether current internal documentation and external references comply with this requirement.
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Many businesses use their DUNS number in supplier registration, government contracting, and financial applications; the license explicitly excludes linkage DUNS numbers and limits use to internal identification, which may affect how businesses can reference their DUNS number in external-facing contexts.
Businesses that have a DUNS number can use it for internal identification, but the license specifically excludes linkage DUNS numbers and restricts use to that narrow purpose; businesses should not use their DUNS number in ways that exceed this limited license without D&B's authorization.
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