SQL Staging Licensing

[JoshuaPostSAMC]

I thought I had read somewhere that if SQL was only used for recovery purposes, then it didn't need to be licensed. On my Veeam server, I have SQL Express and full SQL installed. Veeam's database is on the Express instance, and the full instance is sitting idle, waiting for a recovery with no databases on it.

I can't find a document that exactly talks about it, so wondering if anyone here knows for sure. Am I good in this configuration, or does the full SQL need to be licensed or uninstalled to be compliant?

[veremin]

My understanding was that staging server has to be licensed. However, it might be better to clarify questions concerned with SQL licensing with MS representative. Thanks.