diff --git a/src/formattedcode/__init__.py b/src/formattedcode/__init__.py
index 4241e9f005..51ce6bd899 100644
--- a/src/formattedcode/__init__.py
+++ b/src/formattedcode/__init__.py
@@ -25,9 +25,62 @@ def convert(self, value, param, ctx):
         if value in known_opts:
             self.fail(
                 'Illegal file name conflicting with an option name: '
-                f'{ os.fsdecode(value)}. '
+                f'{os.fsdecode(value)!r}. '
                 'Use the special "-" file name to print results on screen/stdout.',
                 param,
                 ctx,
             )
+
+        try:
+            validate_output_file_path(location=value)
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.fail(str(e), param, ctx)
+
         return click.File.convert(self, value, param, ctx)
+
+
+class InvalidScanCodeOutputFileError(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
+def validate_output_file_path(location):
+    """
+    Raise an InvalidScanCodeOutputFileError if the output file is invalid.
+    """
+    if location != "-":
+        from pathlib import Path
+        from commoncode.filetype import is_writable
+
+        path = Path(location)
+
+        if path.is_dir():
+            raise InvalidScanCodeOutputFileError(
+                f'output file is a directory, not a file: {os.fsdecode(location)!r}',
+            )
+
+        if path.is_fifo() or path.is_socket() or path.is_block_device() or path.is_char_device():
+            raise InvalidScanCodeOutputFileError(
+                f'output file cannot be a special/char/device/fifo/pipe file: {os.fsdecode(location)!r}',
+            )
+
+        if path.exists():
+            if not path.is_file():
+                raise InvalidScanCodeOutputFileError(
+                    f'output file exists and is not a file: {os.fsdecode(location)!r}',
+                )
+            if not is_writable(location):
+                raise InvalidScanCodeOutputFileError(
+                    f'output file exists and is not writable: {os.fsdecode(location)!r}',
+                )
+
+        else:
+            parent = path.parent
+            if not parent.exists() or not parent.is_dir():
+                raise InvalidScanCodeOutputFileError(
+                    f'output file parent is not a directory or does not exists: {os.fsdecode(location)!r}',
+                )
+
+            if not is_writable(str(parent)):
+                raise InvalidScanCodeOutputFileError(
+                    f'output file parent is not a writable directory: {os.fsdecode(location)!r}',
+                )
diff --git a/src/licensedcode/plugin_license_policy.py b/src/licensedcode/plugin_license_policy.py
index b004e66fe9..f2f30f5760 100644
--- a/src/licensedcode/plugin_license_policy.py
+++ b/src/licensedcode/plugin_license_policy.py
@@ -7,20 +7,24 @@
 # See https://aboutcode.org for more information about nexB OSS projects.
 #
 
+import os
+import logging
+
+from collections import defaultdict
 from os.path import exists
 from os.path import isdir
 
 import attr
-import os
-import logging
+import click
 import saneyaml
 
-from plugincode.post_scan import PostScanPlugin
-from plugincode.post_scan import post_scan_impl
 from commoncode.cliutils import PluggableCommandLineOption
 from commoncode.cliutils import POST_SCAN_GROUP
+from commoncode.filetype import is_file
+from commoncode.filetype import is_readable
 from licensedcode.detection import get_license_keys_from_detections
-
+from plugincode.post_scan import PostScanPlugin
+from plugincode.post_scan import post_scan_impl
 
 TRACE = os.environ.get('SCANCODE_DEBUG_LICENSE_POLICY', False)
 
@@ -42,6 +46,21 @@ def logger_debug(*args):
         return logger.debug(' '.join(isinstance(a, str) and a or repr(a) for a in args))
 
 
+def validate_policy_path(ctx, param, value):
+    """
+    Validate the ``value`` of the policy file path
+    """
+    policy = value
+    if policy:
+        if not is_file(location=value, follow_symlinks=True):
+            raise click.BadParameter(f"policy file is not a regular file: {value!r}")
+
+        if not is_readable(location=value):
+            raise click.BadParameter(f"policy file is not readable: {value!r}")
+        policy = load_license_policy(value)
+    return policy
+
+
 @post_scan_impl
 class LicensePolicy(PostScanPlugin):
     """
@@ -57,10 +76,12 @@ class LicensePolicy(PostScanPlugin):
     options = [
         PluggableCommandLineOption(('--license-policy',),
             multiple=False,
+            callback=validate_policy_path,
             metavar='FILE',
             help='Load a License Policy file and apply it to the scan at the '
                  'Resource level.',
-            help_group=POST_SCAN_GROUP)
+            help_group=POST_SCAN_GROUP,
+        )
     ]
 
     def is_enabled(self, license_policy, **kwargs):
@@ -74,12 +95,19 @@ def process_codebase(self, codebase, license_policy, **kwargs):
         if not self.is_enabled(license_policy):
             return
 
-        if has_policy_duplicates(license_policy):
-            codebase.errors.append('ERROR: License Policy file contains duplicate entries.\n')
+        # license_policy has been validated through a callback and contains data
+        # loaded from YAML
+        policies = license_policy.get('license_policies', [])
+        if not policies:
+            codebase.errors.append(f'ERROR: License Policy file is empty')
             return
 
         # get a list of unique license policies from the license_policy file
-        policies = load_license_policy(license_policy).get('license_policies', [])
+        dupes = get_duplicate_policies(policies)
+        if dupes:
+            dupes = '\n'.join(repr(d) for d in dupes.items())
+            codebase.errors.append(f'ERROR: License Policy file contains duplicate entries:\n{dupes}')
+            return
 
         # apply policy to Resources if they contain an offending license
         for resource in codebase.walk(topdown=True):
@@ -106,37 +134,46 @@ def process_codebase(self, codebase, license_policy, **kwargs):
             codebase.save_resource(resource)
 
 
-def has_policy_duplicates(license_policy_location):
+def get_duplicate_policies(policies):
     """
-    Returns True if the policy file contains duplicate entries for a specific license
-    key. Returns False otherwise.
+    Return a list of duplicated policy mappings based on the license key.
+    Return an empty list if there are no duplicates.
     """
-    policies = load_license_policy(license_policy_location).get('license_policies', [])
-
-    unique_policies = {}
-
-    if policies == []:
-        return False
+    if not policies:
+        return []
 
+    policies_by_license = defaultdict(list)
     for policy in policies:
         license_key = policy.get('license_key')
-
-        if license_key in unique_policies.keys():
-            return True
-        else:
-            unique_policies[license_key] = policy
-
-    return False
+        policies_by_license[license_key].append(policy)
+    return {key: pols for key, pols in policies_by_license.items() if len(pols) > 1}
 
 
 def load_license_policy(license_policy_location):
     """
-    Return a license_policy dictionary loaded from a license policy file.
+    Return a license policy mapping loaded from a license policy file.
     """
-    if not license_policy_location or not exists(license_policy_location):
-        return {}
-    elif isdir(license_policy_location):
+    if not license_policy_location:
         return {}
-    with open(license_policy_location, 'r') as conf:
-        conf_content = conf.read()
-    return saneyaml.load(conf_content)
+
+    if not exists(license_policy_location):
+        raise click.BadParameter(f"policy file does not exists: {license_policy_location!r} ")
+
+    if isdir(license_policy_location):
+        raise click.BadParameter(f"policy file is a directory: {license_policy_location!r} ")
+
+    try:
+        with open(license_policy_location, 'r') as conf:
+            conf_content = conf.read()
+        policy = saneyaml.load(conf_content)
+        if not policy:
+            raise click.BadParameter(f"policy file is empty: {license_policy_location!r}")
+        if "license_policies" not in policy:
+            raise click.BadParameter(f"policy file is missing a 'license_policies' attribute: {license_policy_location!r} ")
+    except Exception as e:
+        if isinstance(e, click.BadParameter):
+            raise e
+        else:
+            raise click.BadParameter(f"policy file is not a well formed or readable YAML file: {license_policy_location!r} {e!r}") from e
+    return policy
+
diff --git a/src/scancode/cli.py b/src/scancode/cli.py
index 1e6bc0dc51..1e189c8964 100644
--- a/src/scancode/cli.py
+++ b/src/scancode/cli.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 # Import early because of the side effects
 import scancode_config
 
+import json
 import logging
 import os
 import platform
@@ -42,6 +43,9 @@ class WindowsError(Exception):
 from commoncode.cliutils import path_progress_message
 from commoncode.cliutils import progressmanager
 from commoncode.cliutils import PluggableCommandLineOption
+from commoncode.filetype import is_dir
+from commoncode.filetype import is_file
+from commoncode.filetype import is_readable
 from commoncode.fileutils import as_posixpath
 from commoncode.timeutils import time2tstamp
 from commoncode.resource import Codebase
@@ -68,7 +72,6 @@ class WindowsError(Exception):
 from scancode.interrupt import interruptible
 from scancode.pool import ScanCodeTimeoutError
 
-
 # Tracing flags
 TRACE = False
 TRACE_DEEP = False
@@ -173,6 +176,32 @@ def validate_depth(ctx, param, value):
     return value
 
 
+def validate_input_path(ctx, param, value):
+    """
+    Validate a ``value`` list of inputs path strings
+    """
+    options = ctx.params
+    from_json = options.get("--from-json", False)
+    for inp in value:
+        if not (is_file(location=inp, follow_symlinks=True) or is_dir(location=inp, follow_symlinks=True)):
+            raise click.BadParameter(f"input: {inp!r} is not a regular file or a directory")
+
+        if not is_readable(location=inp):
+            raise click.BadParameter(f"input: {inp!r} is not readable")
+
+        if from_json and not is_file(location=inp, follow_symlinks=True):
+            # extra JSON validation
+            raise click.BadParameter(f"JSON input: {inp!r} is not a file")
+            if not inp.lower().endswith(".json"):
+                raise click.BadParameter(f"JSON input: {inp!r} is not a JSON file with a .json extension")
+            with open(inp) as js:
+                start = js.read(100).strip()
+            if not start.startswith("{"):
+                raise click.BadParameter(f"JSON input: {inp!r} is not a well formed JSON file")
+
+    return value
+
+
 @click.command(name='scancode',
     epilog=epilog_text,
     cls=ScancodeCommand,
@@ -182,6 +211,7 @@ def validate_depth(ctx, param, value):
 
 @click.argument('input',
     metavar='<OUTPUT FORMAT OPTION(s)> <input>...', nargs=-1,
+    callback=validate_input_path,
     type=click.Path(exists=True, readable=True, path_type=str))
 
 @click.option('--strip-root',
@@ -850,9 +880,12 @@ def echo_func(*_args, **_kwargs):
                 max_in_memory=max_in_memory,
                 max_depth=max_depth,
             )
-        except:
-            msg = 'ERROR: failed to collect codebase at: %(input)r' % locals()
-            raise ScancodeError(msg + '\n' + traceback.format_exc())
+        except Exception as e:
+            if from_json and isinstance(e, (json.decoder.JSONDecodeError, UnicodeDecodeError)):
+                raise click.BadParameter(f"Input JSON scan file(s) is not valid JSON: {input!r} : {e!r}")
+            else:
+                msg = f'Failed to process codebase at: {input!r}'
+                raise ScancodeError(msg + '\n' + traceback.format_exc())
 
         # update headers
         cle = codebase.get_or_create_current_header()
diff --git a/tests/formattedcode/test_formattedcode.py b/tests/formattedcode/test_formattedcode.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..361f95294a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/formattedcode/test_formattedcode.py
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+#
+# Copyright (c) nexB Inc. and others. All rights reserved.
+# ScanCode is a trademark of nexB Inc.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+# See http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 for the license text.
+# See https://github.com/nexB/scancode-toolkit for support or download.
+# See https://aboutcode.org for more information about nexB OSS projects.
+#
+
+import os
+import subprocess
+
+import pytest
+
+from commoncode import fileutils
+from commoncode.system import on_windows
+from commoncode.system import on_linux
+from commoncode.testcase import FileDrivenTesting
+from formattedcode import validate_output_file_path
+from commoncode.testcase import make_non_writable
+from commoncode.filetype import is_writable
+
+test_env = FileDrivenTesting()
+
+
+def test_validate_output_file_path_with_non_existing_file_in_writable_path():
+    test_path = test_env.get_temp_dir('test_dir')
+    test_file = os.path.join(test_path, 'some-non-existing-path')
+    validate_output_file_path(test_file)
+
+
+def test_validate_output_file_path_with_existing_writable_file():
+    test_path = test_env.get_temp_dir('test_dir')
+    test_file = os.path.join(test_path, 'some-existing-path')
+    with open(test_file, 'w') as tp:
+        tp.write("foo")
+    validate_output_file_path(test_file)
+
+
+def test_validate_output_file_path_with_existing_writable_dir_raise_exception():
+    test_path = test_env.get_temp_dir('test_dir')
+    test_file = os.path.join(test_path, 'non-existing-parent', 'non-existing-path')
+    with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        validate_output_file_path(test_file)
+
+
+def test_validate_output_file_path_with_existing_writable_parent_dir_raise_exception():
+    test_path = test_env.get_temp_dir('test_dir')
+    with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        validate_output_file_path(test_path)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.skipif(not on_linux, reason='This special file is only on Linux')
+def test_validate_output_file_path_with_existing_system_device_file_raise_exception():
+    test_file = '/dev/ppp'
+    with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        validate_output_file_path(test_file)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.skipif(not on_linux, reason='Special files are easier to test on Linux')
+def test_validate_output_file_path_with_existing_fifo_pipe_special_file_raise_exception():
+    from uuid import uuid4
+    test_file = f"/tmp/scancode-test-{uuid4().hex}"
+    try:
+        # p      create a FIFO
+        subprocess.check_call(["mknod", test_file, "p"])
+        with pytest.raises(Exception):
+            validate_output_file_path(test_file)
+    finally:
+        fileutils.delete(location=test_file)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.skipif(on_windows, reason='It is hard to have non-readable files on Windows')
+def test_validate_output_file_path_with_non_existing_file_in_non_writable_path_raise_exception():
+    test_dir = test_env.get_temp_dir('test_dir')
+    # make dir non writable
+    test_file = os.path.join(test_dir, 'some-non-existing-path')
+    try:
+        # make dir non writable
+        make_non_writable(test_dir)
+        assert not is_writable(test_dir)
+        with pytest.raises(Exception):
+            validate_output_file_path(test_file)
+    finally:
+        fileutils.chmod(test_dir, fileutils.RW, recurse=True)
+
+@pytest.mark.skipif(on_windows, reason='It is hard to have non-readable/writable files on Windows')
+def test_validate_output_file_path_with_existing_non_writable_file_raise_exception():
+    test_dir = test_env.get_temp_dir('test_dir')
+    test_file = os.path.join(test_dir, 'some-existing-path')
+    with open(test_file, 'w') as tp:
+        tp.write("foo")
+    try:
+        # make file non writable
+        make_non_writable(test_file)
+        assert not is_writable(test_file)
+        with pytest.raises(Exception):
+            validate_output_file_path(test_file)
+    finally:
+        fileutils.chmod(test_dir, fileutils.RW, recurse=True)
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_empty.yml b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_empty.yml
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_empty.yml
rename to tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_empty.yml
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_invalid_dupes.yml b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_invalid_dupes.yml
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_invalid_dupes.yml
rename to tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_invalid_dupes.yml
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_invalid_no_dupes.yml b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_invalid_no_dupes.yml
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_invalid_no_dupes.yml
rename to tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_invalid_no_dupes.yml
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_valid.yml b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_valid.yml
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_valid.yml
rename to tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_valid.yml
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/not-a-json-but-png.json b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/not-a-json-but-png.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9b222e65e0
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/not-a-json-but-png.json differ
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/not-a-yaml-but-png.yaml b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/not-a-yaml-but-png.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9b222e65e0
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/not-a-yaml-but-png.yaml differ
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/png.png b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/png.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9b222e65e0
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/png.png differ
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-json.json b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-json.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..18d7acf586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-json.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"foo": "bar"}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-scan-json.json b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-scan-json.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ec354f3308
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-scan-json.json
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+  "headers": [{"tool_name": "scancode-toolkit"}],
+  "files": [
+    {
+      "path": "apache-2.0.LICENSE",
+      "type": "file"
+    }
+  ]
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml-license-policy-yaml.yml b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml-license-policy-yaml.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6b4b384200
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml-license-policy-yaml.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+license_policies:
+-   license_key: bsd-1988
+    label: Approved License
+    color_code: '#008000'
+    icon: icon-ok-circle
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml.yaml b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7db363eb6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+foo:
+  - bar
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml.yml b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7db363eb6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/licensedcode/data/plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+foo:
+  - bar
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/licensedcode/test_plugin_license_policy.py b/tests/licensedcode/test_plugin_license_policy.py
index 07cae146fc..6e4000fb8c 100644
--- a/tests/licensedcode/test_plugin_license_policy.py
+++ b/tests/licensedcode/test_plugin_license_policy.py
@@ -7,297 +7,346 @@
 # See https://aboutcode.org for more information about nexB OSS projects.
 #
 
-from os.path import dirname
-from os.path import join
+import os
+
+import pytest
 
 from commoncode.testcase import FileDrivenTesting
-from licensedcode.plugin_license_policy import has_policy_duplicates
 from licensedcode.plugin_license_policy import load_license_policy
+from licensedcode.plugin_license_policy import get_duplicate_policies
 from scancode.cli_test_utils import load_json_result
 from scancode.cli_test_utils import run_scan_click
 from scancode.cli_test_utils import check_json_scan
 from scancode_config import REGEN_TEST_FIXTURES
 
-class TestLicensePolicy(FileDrivenTesting):
-
-    test_data_dir = join(dirname(__file__), 'data')
-
-    def test_end_to_end_scan_with_license_policy(self):
-        test_dir = self.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
-        policy_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_info_license_valid_policy_file.yml')
-        result_file = self.get_temp_file('json')
-        args = [
-            '--info',
-            '--license',
-            '--license-policy',
-            policy_file,
-            test_dir,
-            '--json-pp',
-            result_file
-        ]
-        run_scan_click(args)
-        test_loc = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.expected.json')
-        check_json_scan(test_loc, result_file, regen=REGEN_TEST_FIXTURES, remove_file_date=True)
-
-    def test_end_to_end_scan_with_license_policy_multiple_text(self):
-        test_dir = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/file_with_multiple_licenses.txt')
-        policy_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/sample_valid_policy_file.yml')
-        result_file = self.get_temp_file('json')
-        args = [
-            '--info',
-            '--license',
-            '--license-policy',
-            policy_file,
-            test_dir,
-            '--json-pp',
-            result_file
-        ]
-        run_scan_click(args)
-        test_loc = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/file_with_multiple_licenses.expected.json')
-        check_json_scan(test_loc, result_file, regen=REGEN_TEST_FIXTURES, remove_file_date=True)
-
-    def test_process_codebase_info_license_duplicate_key_policy_file(self):
-        test_dir = self.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
-        policy_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_info_license_duplicate_key_policy_file.yml')
-
-        result_file = self.get_temp_file('json')
-
-        run_scan_click(['--info', '--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
-
-        scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
-
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
-            assert result['license_policy'] == []
-
-    def test_process_codebase_info_license_valid_policy_file(self):
-        test_dir = self.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
-        policy_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_info_license_valid_policy_file.yml')
-
-        result_file = self.get_temp_file('json')
-
-        run_scan_click(['--info', '--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
+test_env = FileDrivenTesting()
+test_env.test_data_dir = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'data')
 
-        scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
 
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
+def test_end_to_end_scan_with_license_policy():
+    test_dir = test_env.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
+    policy_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_info_license_valid_policy_file.yml')
+    result_file = test_env.get_temp_file('json')
+    args = [
+        '--info',
+        '--license',
+        '--license-policy',
+        policy_file,
+        test_dir,
+        '--json-pp',
+        result_file
+    ]
+    run_scan_click(args)
+    test_loc = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.expected.json')
+    check_json_scan(test_loc, result_file, regen=REGEN_TEST_FIXTURES, remove_file_date=True)
 
-        approved, restricted = 0, 0
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            if result.get('license_policy') != []:
-                if result.get('license_policy')[0].get('label') == "Approved License":
-                    approved += 1
-                if result.get('license_policy')[0].get('label') == "Restricted License":
-                    restricted += 1
 
-        assert approved == 1
-        assert restricted == 4
+def test_end_to_end_scan_with_license_policy_multiple_text():
+    test_dir = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/file_with_multiple_licenses.txt')
+    policy_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/sample_valid_policy_file.yml')
+    result_file = test_env.get_temp_file('json')
+    args = [
+        '--info',
+        '--license',
+        '--license-policy',
+        policy_file,
+        test_dir,
+        '--json-pp',
+        result_file
+    ]
+    run_scan_click(args)
+    test_loc = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/file_with_multiple_licenses.expected.json')
+    check_json_scan(test_loc, result_file, regen=REGEN_TEST_FIXTURES, remove_file_date=True)
 
-    def test_process_codebase_license_only_valid_policy_file(self):
-        test_dir = self.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
-        policy_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_license_only_valid_policy_file.yml')
 
-        result_file = self.get_temp_file('json')
+def test_process_codebase_info_license_duplicate_key_policy_file():
+    test_dir = test_env.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
+    policy_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_info_license_duplicate_key_policy_file.yml')
 
-        run_scan_click(['--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
+    result_file = test_env.get_temp_file('json')
 
-        scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
+    run_scan_click(['--info', '--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
 
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
+    scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
 
-        approved, restricted = 0, 0
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            if result.get('license_policy') != []:
-                if result.get('license_policy')[0].get('label') == "Approved License":
-                    approved += 1
-                if result.get('license_policy')[0].get('label') == "Restricted License":
-                    restricted += 1
+    for result in scan_result['files']:
+        assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
+        assert result['license_policy'] == []
 
-        assert approved == 1
-        assert restricted == 4
 
-    def test_process_codebase_info_only_valid_policy_file(self):
-        test_dir = self.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
-        policy_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_info_only_valid_policy_file.yml')
+def test_process_codebase_info_license_valid_policy_file():
+    test_dir = test_env.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
+    policy_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_info_license_valid_policy_file.yml')
 
-        result_file = self.get_temp_file('json')
+    result_file = test_env.get_temp_file('json')
 
-        run_scan_click(['--info', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
+    run_scan_click(['--info', '--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
 
-        scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
+    scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
 
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
+    for result in scan_result['files']:
+        assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
 
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            assert result.get('license_policy') == []
+    approved, restricted = 0, 0
+    for result in scan_result['files']:
+        if result.get('license_policy') != []:
+            if result.get('license_policy')[0].get('label') == "Approved License":
+                approved += 1
+            if result.get('license_policy')[0].get('label') == "Restricted License":
+                restricted += 1
 
-    def test_process_codebase_empty_policy_file(self):
-        test_dir = self.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
-        policy_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_empty_policy_file.yml')
+    assert approved == 1
+    assert restricted == 4
 
-        result_file = self.get_temp_file('json')
 
-        run_scan_click(['--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
+def test_process_codebase_license_only_valid_policy_file():
+    test_dir = test_env.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
+    policy_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_license_only_valid_policy_file.yml')
 
-        scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
+    result_file = test_env.get_temp_file('json')
 
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
+    run_scan_click(['--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
 
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            assert result.get('license_policy') == []
+    scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
 
-    def test_process_codebase_invalid_policy_file(self):
-        test_dir = self.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
-        policy_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_invalid_policy_file.yml')
+    for result in scan_result['files']:
+        assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
 
-        result_file = self.get_temp_file('json')
+    approved, restricted = 0, 0
+    for result in scan_result['files']:
+        if result.get('license_policy') != []:
+            if result.get('license_policy')[0].get('label') == "Approved License":
+                approved += 1
+            if result.get('license_policy')[0].get('label') == "Restricted License":
+                restricted += 1
 
-        run_scan_click(['--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
+    assert approved == 1
+    assert restricted == 4
 
-        scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
 
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
+def test_process_codebase_info_only_valid_policy_file():
+    test_dir = test_env.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
+    policy_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_info_only_valid_policy_file.yml')
+
+    result_file = test_env.get_temp_file('json')
+
+    run_scan_click(['--info', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
+
+    scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
+
+    for result in scan_result['files']:
+        assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
+
+    for result in scan_result['files']:
+        assert result.get('license_policy') == []
+
+
+def test_process_codebase_empty_policy_file():
+    test_dir = test_env.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
+    policy_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_empty_policy_file.yml')
+
+    result_file = test_env.get_temp_file('json')
+
+    run_scan_click(['--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file])
+
+    scan_result = load_json_result(result_file)
 
-        for result in scan_result['files']:
-            assert result.get('license_policy') == []
+    for result in scan_result['files']:
+        assert 'license_policy' in result.keys()
 
-    def test_has_policy_duplcates_invalid_dupes(self):
-        test_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_invalid_dupes.yml')
+    for result in scan_result['files']:
+        assert result.get('license_policy') == []
 
-        result = has_policy_duplicates(test_file)
 
-        assert result == True
+def test_process_codebase_invalid_policy_file():
+    test_dir = test_env.extract_test_tar('plugin_license_policy/policy-codebase.tgz')
+    policy_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/process_codebase_invalid_policy_file.yml')
+    result_file = test_env.get_temp_file('json')
+    run_scan_click(['--license', '--license-policy', policy_file, test_dir, '--json-pp', result_file], expected_rc=2)
 
-    def test_has_policy_duplcates_valid(self):
-        test_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_valid.yml')
 
-        result = has_policy_duplicates(test_file)
-
-        assert result == False
-
-    def test_has_policy_duplicates_empty(self):
-        test_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_empty.yml')
-
-        result = has_policy_duplicates(test_file)
+def test_get_duplicate_policies_with_dupes():
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_invalid_dupes.yml')
+    result = load_license_policy(test_file)
+    policies = result.get('license_policies', [])
+    expected = {
+        'broadcom-commercial': [
+            {'color_code': '#FFcc33',
+             'icon': 'icon-warning-sign',
+             'label': 'Restricted License',
+             'license_key': 'broadcom-commercial'},
+            {'color_code': '#008000',
+             'icon': 'icon-ok-circle',
+             'label': 'Approved License',
+             'license_key': 'broadcom-commercial'},
+        ],
+    }
+    assert get_duplicate_policies(policies) == expected
+
+
+def test_get_duplicate_policies_with_no_dupes():
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_valid.yml')
+    result = load_license_policy(test_file)
+    policies = result.get('license_policies', [])
+    assert get_duplicate_policies(policies) == {}
+
+
+def test_get_duplicate_policies_empty():
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_empty.yml')
+    result = load_license_policy(test_file)
+    policies = result.get('license_policies', [])
+    assert get_duplicate_policies(policies) == []
+
+
+def test_load_license_policy_with_duplicate_keys():
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/load_license_policy_duplicate_keys.yml')
+
+    expected = dict([
+        ('license_policies', [
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'broadcom-commercial'),
+                ('label', 'Restricted License'),
+                ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
+            ]),
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'bsd-1988'),
+                ('label', 'Approved License'),
+                ('color_code', '#008000'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-ok-circle'),
+            ]),
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'esri-devkit'),
+                ('label', 'Restricted License'),
+                ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
+            ]),
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'oracle-java-ee-sdk-2010'),
+                ('label', 'Restricted License'),
+                ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
+            ]),
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'rh-eula'),
+                ('label', 'Restricted License'),
+                ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
+            ]),
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'broadcom-commercial'),
+                ('label', 'Approved License'),
+                ('color_code', '#008000'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-ok-circle'),
+            ]),
+        ])
+    ])
+
+    result = load_license_policy(test_file)
+    assert result == expected
+
+
+def test_load_license_policy_simple():
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/load_license_policy_valid.yml')
+
+    expected = dict([
+        ('license_policies', [
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'broadcom-commercial'),
+                ('label', 'Restricted License'),
+                ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
+            ]),
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'bsd-1988'),
+                ('label', 'Approved License'),
+                ('color_code', '#008000'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-ok-circle'),
+            ]),
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'esri-devkit'),
+                ('label', 'Restricted License'),
+                ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
+            ]),
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'oracle-java-ee-sdk-2010'),
+                ('label', 'Restricted License'),
+                ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
+            ]),
+            dict([
+                ('license_key', 'rh-eula'),
+                ('label', 'Restricted License'),
+                ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
+                ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
+            ]),
+        ])
+    ])
 
-        assert result == False
+    result = load_license_policy(test_file)
 
-    def test_has_policy_duplicates_invalid_no_dupes(self):
-        test_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/has_policy_duplicates_invalid_no_dupes.yml')
+    assert result == expected
 
-        result = has_policy_duplicates(test_file)
 
-        assert result == False
+def test_load_license_policy_empty():
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/load_license_policy_empty.yml')
+    result = load_license_policy(test_file)
+    assert result == {'license_policies': []}
 
-    def test_load_license_policy_duplicate_keys(self):
-        test_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/load_license_policy_duplicate_keys.yml')
 
-        expected = dict([
-            ('license_policies', [
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'broadcom-commercial'),
-                    ('label', 'Restricted License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
-                ]),
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'bsd-1988'),
-                    ('label', 'Approved License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#008000'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-ok-circle'),
-                ]),
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'esri-devkit'),
-                    ('label', 'Restricted License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
-                ]),
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'oracle-java-ee-sdk-2010'),
-                    ('label', 'Restricted License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
-                ]),
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'rh-eula'),
-                    ('label', 'Restricted License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
-                ]),
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'broadcom-commercial'),
-                    ('label', 'Approved License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#008000'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-ok-circle'),
-                ]),
-            ])
-        ])
+def test_load_license_policy_invalid():
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/load_license_policy_invalid.yml')
+    with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        load_license_policy(test_file)
 
-        result = load_license_policy(test_file)
-
-        assert result == expected
-
-    def test_load_license_policy_valid(self):
-        test_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/load_license_policy_valid.yml')
-
-        expected = dict([
-            ('license_policies', [
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'broadcom-commercial'),
-                    ('label', 'Restricted License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
-                ]),
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'bsd-1988'),
-                    ('label', 'Approved License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#008000'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-ok-circle'),
-                ]),
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'esri-devkit'),
-                    ('label', 'Restricted License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
-                ]),
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'oracle-java-ee-sdk-2010'),
-                    ('label', 'Restricted License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
-                ]),
-                dict([
-                    ('license_key', 'rh-eula'),
-                    ('label', 'Restricted License'),
-                    ('color_code', '#FFcc33'),
-                    ('icon', 'icon-warning-sign'),
-                ]),
-            ])
-        ])
 
-        result = load_license_policy(test_file)
+def test_load_license_policy_invalid2():
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/get_duplicate_policies_invalid_no_dupes.yml')
+    with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        load_license_policy(test_file)
 
-        assert result == expected
 
-    def test_load_license_policy_empty(self):
-        test_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/load_license_policy_empty.yml')
+faulty_policy_yaml = [
+    ('plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/not-a-json-but-png.json', 2, "Error: Invalid value for '--license-policy': policy file is not a well formed or readable YAML file:"),
+    ('plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/not-a-yaml-but-png.yaml', 2, "Error: Invalid value for '--license-policy': policy file is not a well formed or readable YAML file:"),
+    ('plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/png.png', 2, "Error: Invalid value for '--license-policy': policy file is not a well formed or readable YAML file:"),
+    ('plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-json.json', 2, "Error: Invalid value for '--license-policy': policy file is missing a 'license_policies' attribute"),
+    ('plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml.yaml', 2, "Error: Invalid value for '--license-policy': policy file is missing a 'license_policies' attribute"),
+    ('plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml.yml', 2, "Error: Invalid value for '--license-policy': policy file is missing a 'license_policies' attribute"),
+]
 
-        expected = dict([
-            (u'license_policies', [])
-        ])
 
-        result = load_license_policy(test_file)
-
-        assert result == expected
-
-    def test_load_license_policy_invalid(self):
-        test_file = self.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/load_license_policy_invalid.yml')
-
-        result = load_license_policy(test_file)
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('test_policy, expected_rc, expected_message', faulty_policy_yaml)
+def test_scan_does_validate_input_and_fails_on_faulty_policy_input(test_policy, expected_rc, expected_message):
+    test_input = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-scan-json.json')
+    test_policy = test_env.get_test_loc(test_policy)
+    result = run_scan_click([
+            '--from-json',
+            test_input,
+            '--json-pp',
+            '-',
+            '--license-policy',
+            test_policy,
+        ],
+        expected_rc=expected_rc,
+        retry=False,
+    )
+    assert expected_message in result.output
+
+
+def test_scan_does_validate_input_and_does_not_fail_on_valid_policy_input():
+    test_input = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-scan-json.json')
+    test_policy = test_env.get_test_loc('plugin_license_policy/various-inputs/true-yaml-license-policy-yaml.yml')
+    run_scan_click(
+        [
+            '--from-json',
+            test_input,
+            '--json-pp',
+            '-',
+            '--license-policy',
+            test_policy,
+        ],
+        retry=False,
+    )
 
-        assert result == {}
diff --git a/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/not-a-json-but-png.json b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/not-a-json-but-png.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9b222e65e0
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/not-a-json-but-png.json differ
diff --git a/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/not-a-yaml-but-png.yaml b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/not-a-yaml-but-png.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9b222e65e0
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/not-a-yaml-but-png.yaml differ
diff --git a/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/png.png b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/png.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9b222e65e0
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/png.png differ
diff --git a/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-json.json b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-json.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..18d7acf586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-json.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"foo": "bar"}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-scan-json.json b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-scan-json.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ec354f3308
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-scan-json.json
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+  "headers": [{"tool_name": "scancode-toolkit"}],
+  "files": [
+    {
+      "path": "apache-2.0.LICENSE",
+      "type": "file"
+    }
+  ]
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-yaml-license-policy-yaml.yml b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-yaml-license-policy-yaml.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6b4b384200
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-yaml-license-policy-yaml.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+license_policies:
+-   license_key: bsd-1988
+    label: Approved License
+    color_code: '#008000'
+    icon: icon-ok-circle
diff --git a/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-yaml.yaml b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-yaml.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7db363eb6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-yaml.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+foo:
+  - bar
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-yaml.yml b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-yaml.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7db363eb6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/scancode/data/various-inputs/true-yaml.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+foo:
+  - bar
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/scancode/test_cli.py b/tests/scancode/test_cli.py
index 693a873b32..746da18051 100644
--- a/tests/scancode/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/scancode/test_cli.py
@@ -709,7 +709,7 @@ def test_scan_to_json_without_FILE_does_not_write_to_next_option():
     result = run_scan_click(args, expected_rc=2)
     assert (
         'Error: Invalid value for "--json": Illegal file name '
-        'conflicting with an option name: --info.'
+        'conflicting with an option name: "--info".'
     ).replace("'", '"') in result.output.replace("'", '"')
 
 
@@ -966,3 +966,35 @@ def test_getting_version_returns_valid_yaml():
     args = ['-V']
     result = run_scan_click(args)
     assert saneyaml.load(result.output) == test_version
+
+
+faulty_json = [
+    ('various-inputs/not-a-json-but-png.json', 2, 'Error: Invalid value: Input JSON scan file(s) is not valid JSON'),
+    ('various-inputs/not-a-yaml-but-png.yaml', 2, 'Error: Invalid value: Input JSON scan file(s) is not valid JSON'),
+    ('various-inputs/png.png', 2, 'Error: Invalid value: Input JSON scan file(s) is not valid JSON'),
+    ('various-inputs/true-json.json', 2, 'Error: Invalid value: Failed to process codebase'),
+    ('various-inputs/true-yaml.yaml', 2, 'Error: Invalid value: Input JSON scan file(s) is not valid JSON'),
+    ('various-inputs/true-yaml-license-policy-yaml.yml', 2, 'Error: Invalid value: Input JSON scan file(s) is not valid JSON'),
+    ('various-inputs/true-yaml.yml', 2, 'Error: Invalid value: Input JSON scan file(s) is not valid JSON'),
+]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('test_file, expected_rc, expected_message', faulty_json)
+def test_scan_does_validate_input_and_fails_on_faulty_json_input(test_file, expected_rc, expected_message):
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc(test_file)
+    result = run_scan_click(
+        [
+            '--from-json',
+            test_file,
+            '--json-pp',
+            '-',
+         ],
+        expected_rc=expected_rc,
+        retry=False,
+    )
+    assert expected_message in result.output
+
+
+def test_scan_does_validate_input_and_does_not_fail_on_valid_json_input():
+    test_file = test_env.get_test_loc('various-inputs/true-scan-json.json')
+    run_scan_click(['--from-json', test_file, '--json-pp', '-'], retry=False)