diff --git a/deployments/examples/ocis_full/.env b/deployments/examples/ocis_full/.env
index 25b1afdbcd5..2e709bf06be 100644
--- a/deployments/examples/ocis_full/.env
+++ b/deployments/examples/ocis_full/.env
@@ -228,9 +228,15 @@ CLAMAV_DOCKER_TAG=
 ONLYOFFICE_IMAGE=onlyoffice/documentserver
 # The recommended (and tested) version to pull. If no version is used, it pulls "latest"
 ONLYOFFICE_DOCKER_TAG=9.0.4.1
-# EE only: path to your license on the host.
-# Note that you need to additionally uncomment one line in onlyoffice.yml/volumes
+
+# EE only: the path to your license file on the host.
+# To activate a license file, comment ONLYOFFICE_DEACTIVATE_LICENSE. Otherwise, it <must> stay uncommented.
+# This mechanism can be used to access an OO dev/ee image without a license during the trial period.
+# Please note that if a license file is provided AND activated, it must be valid; otherwise, OO will stop operating immediately!
+# DO NOT change the value of ONLYOFFICE_DEACTIVATE_LICENSE, this must be /dev/null only (un)commenting is allowed.
+ONLYOFFICE_DEACTIVATE_LICENSE=/dev/null
 #ONLYOFFICE_LICENSE_LOCAL=./config/onlyoffice/license.lic
+
 # Domain for OnlyOffice. Defaults to "onlyoffice.owncloud.test".
 ONLYOFFICE_DOMAIN=
 # Runtime env (works for both; EE typically wants these).
@@ -247,6 +253,7 @@ ONLYOFFICE_DOMAIN=
 # Domain for mail server. Defaults to "mail.owncloud.test".
 MAIL_SERVER_DOMAIN=
 
+
 ## IMPORTANT ##
 # This MUST be the last line as it assembles the supplemental compose files to be used.
 # ALL supplemental configs must be added here, whether commented or not.
diff --git a/deployments/examples/ocis_full/onlyoffice.yml b/deployments/examples/ocis_full/onlyoffice.yml
index cd3657a1309..5b922dc9e4d 100644
--- a/deployments/examples/ocis_full/onlyoffice.yml
+++ b/deployments/examples/ocis_full/onlyoffice.yml
@@ -63,11 +63,14 @@ services:
       # paths are relative to the main compose file
       - ./config/onlyoffice/entrypoint-override.sh:/entrypoint-override.sh
       - ./config/onlyoffice/local.json:/etc/onlyoffice/documentserver/local.dist.json
-      # Mount the license file only if using enterprise edition.
+      #
+      # Mount the license file only if using the enterprise edition.
       # For details see: Registering your Enterprise Edition version:
       # https://helpcenter.onlyoffice.com/installation/docs-enterprise-install-docker.aspx
-      # Uncomment and set ONLYOFFICE_LICENSE_LOCAL to the license file path.
-      #- ${ONLYOFFICE_LICENSE_LOCAL:-/dev/null}:/var/www/onlyoffice/Data/license.lic:ro
+      #
+      # if deactivate is commented in .env, any source will point to the license file in the oo container
+      # if deactivate is uncommented (default) in .env, any source will point to /dev/null in the oo container
+      - ${ONLYOFFICE_LICENSE_LOCAL:-/dev/null}:${ONLYOFFICE_DEACTIVATE_LICENSE:-/var/www/onlyoffice/Data/license.lic:ro}
     labels:
       - "traefik.enable=true"
       - "traefik.http.routers.onlyoffice.entrypoints=https"