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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Pharmaceutical products
"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 …
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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.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 262 platforms. See the full comparison.
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