What are the basic design licenses? What’s the difference between Regular Licenses and Extended Licenses? What is the true meaning of Freebie designs? Can I redistribute and share them? These concepts and questions may not be clear to everyone, and there are many discussions surrounding them. In this post, I’ll try to clarify the most commonly used and widespread meanings of these licenses.
Note: Some license concepts and terms may differ slightly between sites, but generally and essentially, these meanings apply to designs, images, and artworks. If you notice any errors or specific ambiguities, please let me know so I can correct them, as I’m not immune to mistakes or misunderstandings.
Freebie Licenses
This means you can use the product or design in any project, whether personal or commercial. The main restriction is that you cannot claim it as your own or sell it as it is. You are also not allowed to host it on your site—instead, you should provide a link to the original site where it was published, so visitors can download it from there. You also cannot modify it and resell it unless you contact the original creator and obtain their permission to do so. Often, there’s a cost associated with this permission.
Regular Licenses
This generally means you can use the product or design you purchased with one client or in one project only. If you want to use it with another client, you’ll need to purchase another license. You cannot resell it or use it in a multi-sale or multi-distribution product like “printed magazines with multiple copies, book covers, or TV ads.” This is the fundamental difference between this license and the Extended Licenses.
Extended Licenses
It follows the same conditions as the previous license but allows you to use the design in a commercial project for multiple uses, views, or sales. For example, using a purchased design in a video game or a mobile app. Some sites impose restrictions on the number of copies or views, limiting it to 250,000 copies or downloads or views. Generally, if a work’s price is $10, the price for this license will range from $100 at the very least and can go up to $600 or more in some cases.
Stock Photo Regular Licenses
This license gives you the right to use stock photos in your work, on your site, or with one client only, provided the final product is not for multi-sale or distribution, similar to regular design licenses. You cannot use the photo in free projects.
Stock Photo Extended Licenses
This allows you to use the photo on your site, in your work, or with one client, but with the ability to use the photo in a multi-sale or distribution product, like “newspapers, magazines, or TV ads.” Some sites set a limit on the total number of prints or final views to 250,000 copies. So, if the project you’re using the photo in is a newspaper, the total number of copies should be 250,000. If you’re using it in a TV ad, the expected number of views for that channel or program should be 250,000. This is a limitation employed by Shutterstock in its product licenses.
Commercial use Licenses
This means you can use the work you purchase in personal or commercial projects. It’s very similar to the Extended Licenses or sometimes identical to it. However, some sites do not impose restrictions on the number of copies or times the design is displayed, and the field is open-ended.
Developer Licenses
This allows you to use the design or work you purchase more than once and in more than one place, modify it, or use part of it in multi-sale sites. For example, a WordPress template priced at $50 for a single-use regular license might be priced at $90 for a developer license, allowing it to be used on multiple sites. This license is typically reserved for sites and templates. In some stores, you’ll need to contact the original creator to obtain it.
Written Permission
What if you want to republish a free or paid work, with or without modifications? What if you need a special license that fits the app or site you’re working on? You’ll need to contact the seller or designer directly and request permission to use their design or work on your site or store. This permission might come with a cost, or it could be part of another arrangement, like crediting the original creator on your site or compensating them in another way “not necessarily monetary.” Sometimes, if you donate to the site or creator, they might give you permission to republish or use the work without charge. This is common in sites offering freebies. With this permission “depending on the agreement you reach,” you might not have to buy the work multiple times or credit the author or source.