diff --git a/charger/ocpp.go b/charger/ocpp.go
index 73048b263..0739d4944 100644
--- a/charger/ocpp.go
+++ b/charger/ocpp.go
@@ -1,5 +1,22 @@
 package charger
 
+// LICENSE
+
+// Copyright (c) 2024 premultiply, andig
+
+// This module is NOT covered by the MIT license. All rights reserved.
+
+// The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+// copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+
+// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+// IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
+// FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
+// AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
+// LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
+// OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
+// SOFTWARE.
+
 import (
 	"cmp"
 	"fmt"
@@ -11,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/evcc-io/evcc/charger/ocpp"
 	"github.com/evcc-io/evcc/core/loadpoint"
 	"github.com/evcc-io/evcc/util"
+	"github.com/evcc-io/evcc/util/sponsor"
 	"github.com/lorenzodonini/ocpp-go/ocpp1.6/core"
 	"github.com/lorenzodonini/ocpp-go/ocpp1.6/types"
 	"github.com/samber/lo"
@@ -74,6 +92,10 @@ func NewOCPPFromConfig(other map[string]interface{}) (api.Charger, error) {
 		return c, err
 	}
 
+	if !sponsor.IsAuthorized() {
+		return nil, api.ErrSponsorRequired
+	}
+
 	var (
 		powerG, totalEnergyG, socG func() (float64, error)
 		currentsG, voltagesG       func() (float64, float64, float64, error)