How the process works
Different services. Explicit decisions.
Start with a description of your data and your objective. We agree the work, review access and disclosure requirements, produce the scoped outputs, and proceed to external evaluation only when authorized. You may end the work after an assessment, or use the outputs for a sale you manage.
Who does what
Three parties, clear limits.
The data owner decides. Copia runs the process. Buyers evaluate what you approve.
- 01
You, the data owner
The accountable owner and the people who can authorize a license.
- Approve the data scope and every disclosure
- Approve each recipient and sample release
- Sign any license, with your counsel
Never lose the final word on scope, recipients, or terms.
- 02
Copia
Your seller-side representative, under a written mandate.
- Prepare the brief and the diligence room
- Research buyers and run approved outreach
- Compare offers and track collection
Never discloses data or contacts a buyer without your approval.
- 03
Prospective buyers
AI developers and licensing channels, screened for fit.
- Evaluate approved materials and samples
- Run diligence and technical questions
- Make offers you are free to decline
Never receive data outside the agreed access process.
Stage gates
Seven stages, each with a gate.
Every stage has a condition that must be met before the next begins.
| Stage | What happens | The gate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Description | You describe the dataset, its origin, and who can authorize it | No raw data. Sensitive or unknown answers route to compliance review |
| 2. Fit review | We review authority, provenance, sensitivity, and route fit | We may recommend a narrower scope, preparation, another route, or not proceeding |
| 3. Proposal | Scope, deliverables, access, handling, and every fee in writing | Nothing starts until you approve it |
| 4. Access | Authorized, bounded access for the agreed work only | Permitted sources, processing, recipients, retention, and release steps agreed first |
| 5. Outputs | Brief, quality report, dataset card, or diligence pack, by route | Tested against the agreed criteria |
| 6. External evaluation | Approved recipients review approved materials and samples | Only when you authorize it, recipient by recipient |
| 7. Offers and closing | Offers compared; your counsel reviews; you sign or decline | Your decision alone |
Switching routes
No unwanted switching.
Each route has its own terms. Moving between them is always a written decision.
- Preparation is not appointmentBuying an assessment or preparation project does not appoint us as your broker.
- An existing buyer stays yoursIf a buyer is already in discussion, the inquiry routes to direct-sale support unless you ask for representation.
- New introductions need a decisionAny introduction beyond a direct-sale scope triggers a scope decision, never an automatic fee.
- Mandates keep their termsA separately signed brokerage mandate remains governed by its stated scope.
Progressive disclosure
Each release, on your approval.
- A teaser: what the asset is, without identifying detail
- The dataset brief: scope, permitted uses, quality evidence, and limitations
- Samples: released through the agreed access process to screened recipients
- The full dataset: delivered only under a signed license
After the discussion
Where data owners usually go next.
Each route is a separate engagement with its own terms. Nothing starts until you approve a written proposal.
- 01Describe the datasetFreeTake the readiness check, or describe the data to us. No raw data, records, or samples.
- 02Fit review and proposalFreeWe review authority, provenance, and fit, then recommend a route, a narrower scope, or not proceeding.
- 03Prepare, if neededFixed or milestone feeProfiling, cleaning, documentation, and a quality report, tested against an agreed specification.
- 04License, or sell directCommission or fixed feeRepresented by Copia under a written mandate, or supported technically while you lead the sale.
Each step is a separate decision. Buying an assessment or preparation does not appoint us as your broker.
Questions
Can we end the work after an assessment?
Yes. You may end it after an assessment, or use preparation outputs for a sale you manage yourself.
Who sees our materials?
Only recipients you approve, through the agreed access process. Disclosure is progressive: teaser, then brief, then samples.
What if a buyer asks for something outside scope?
We compare it with the agreed specification and propose a written scope change. Nothing is added without your approval.
Do we need to upload data to inquire?
No. Describe the proposed dataset at a high level. Do not send raw records, credentials, personal information from the dataset, or confidential examples.
Choose a route