Update licensing docs for the revised Open Innovation Grant

content/_partials/license.md

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 ::callout{icon="i-lucide-info"}
   **Licensing**
-  Directus is licensed under the [Monospace Sustainable Core License (MSCL)](https://directus.com/license). The free **core tier** does not require a license. Higher limits and additional features require a paid license, or qualifying entities can apply for the [Open Innovation Grant](https://directus.com/oig) for free commercial use. [Learn more about licensing](/licensing/overview).
+  Directus is licensed under the [Monospace Sustainable Core License (MSCL)](https://directus.com/license). The free **core tier** does not require a license. Higher limits and additional features require a paid license, or qualifying individuals and small organizations can [apply for the Open Innovation Grant](https://directus.com/oig) for free personal and commercial use. [Learn more about licensing](/licensing/overview).
 ::

content/licensing/1.overview.md

@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@ navigation:
 
 Directus is licensed under the [Monospace Sustainable Core License (MSCL)](https://directus.com/license). Self-hosted instances without a license run on the **core tier**. To unlock additional capabilities or higher limits, add a license to your instance.
 
-Free commercial use is available through the **[Open Innovation Grant](https://directus.com/oig)** for entities with less than $5M in annual revenue and fewer than 50 employees. Eligibility is assessed based on the legal entities whose representatives log into the Directus Studio. Full terms are set out in the grant usage agreement.
+Free personal and commercial use, in perpetuity, is available through the **[Open Innovation Grant](/licensing/open-innovation-grant)** for individuals and for organizations with less than $5M in annual revenue and fewer than 50 employees. Eligibility is assessed based on the people who log into the Directus Studio. Full terms are set out in the [Open Innovation Grant terms](https://directus.com/terms/open-innovation-grant).
 
 Quick links:
 
+- [Apply for the Open Innovation Grant](https://directus.com/oig)
 - [What counts as a user seat or a collection?](#key-definitions)
 - [Enquire about a commercial license](https://directus.com/contact)
 - [Upgrading to Directus 12 (existing customer)](#upgrading-to-directus-12)
@@ -95,6 +96,8 @@ In online mode, your instance periodically revalidates with the Directus licensi
 
 Revalidation runs on a schedule set by the license's settings, at least every 12 hours. If a key is set but no license is in effect, for example because it could not be applied during startup, Directus retries every hour.
 
+If a license cannot be validated during startup, Directus still starts and logs a warning. This applies whether the key is set through `LICENSE_KEY` or the Studio. An instance with a license already in effect keeps it. An instance activating a key for the first time runs on the core tier until a retry succeeds.
+
 If a revalidation request fails, your instance keeps its current license and retries on the next scheduled check. Admins see a warning in **Settings > License** that explains why the license could not be renewed and the date it lapses. If renewal still fails by that date, the instance moves to the core tier. Your license key is kept, so the license is restored automatically if a check succeeds before downgrade.
 
 This is the default mode and is appropriate for any instance with outbound network access.
@@ -192,6 +195,15 @@ On first use, a license key creates an **activation** on the Directus licensing
 
 A single license key may be activated against multiple instances at different `PUBLIC_URL`s, depending on your license. For example, an [Open Innovation Grant](https://directus.com/oig) license supports up to **5 activations**, intended to cover the distinct environments of a single project (such as local, dev, staging, and production). See [Open Innovation Grant](/licensing/open-innovation-grant) for how those activations apply across multiple projects, CI pipelines, and database restores.
 
+### Pending Activations
+
+A new activation starts in a **pending** state for 24 hours. Pending activations do not count toward your activation limit.
+
+- If the instance is no longer active when the 24 hours end, the activation does not count toward your activation limit.
+- If the instance is still active, or becomes active again later, the activation is confirmed and counts toward your limit.
+
+This lets short-lived instances, such as per-run CI environments, use a license without consuming activations. Parallel runs do not compete for activations either, however many start within the same 24 hours.
+
 ### Deactivating a License
 
 Deactivating a license frees its activation on the licensing service so the binding can be reused.
@@ -204,7 +216,7 @@ If the licensing service no longer recognizes the stored key, or the key is boun
 If your current usage is above core tier limits when you deactivate, the Studio will surface the [Resolution Flow](#resolution-flow) before completing the downgrade.
 
 ::callout{icon="i-lucide-triangle-alert" color="warning"}
-**Always deactivate a license before destroying the instance it is bound to.** If you wipe the database, drop the container, or otherwise lose access to the Studio without deactivating first, the activation remains bound on the licensing service and continues to count against your license's activation limit. There is currently no self-service way to release a stranded activation — reach out to support if this happens. This is especially important when testing a license key in a throwaway environment.
+**Always deactivate a license before destroying the instance it is bound to.** If you wipe the database, drop the container, or otherwise lose access to the Studio without deactivating first, the activation remains bound on the licensing service and continues to count against your license's activation limit. There is currently no self-service way to release a stranded activation — reach out to support if this happens. Throwaway environments destroyed within the 24-hour [pending period](#pending-activations) are not affected.
 ::
 
 ### Moving an Instance to a New URL

content/licensing/2.telemetry.md

@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ Reports are sent to the URL defined by the `TELEMETRY_URL` variable, which defau
 To opt out, set the `TELEMETRY` [environment variable](/configuration/general#telemetry) to `false` and restart Directus.
 
 ::callout{icon="i-lucide-info"}
-Whether you can disable telemetry depends on your license. Some licenses require telemetry to remain enabled, in which case the `TELEMETRY` setting is ignored. To check whether yours allows it, review your entitlements under **Settings → License** in the Studio.
+Whether you can disable telemetry depends on your license. The core tier and the [Open Innovation Grant](/licensing/open-innovation-grant) require telemetry to remain enabled, in which case the `TELEMETRY` setting is ignored. To opt out, you need a paid license that allows it. Review your entitlements under **Settings → License** in the Studio.
 ::
 
 ## Project Owner Registration