Understanding Sola's 4-Tier Licensing
Clear, flexible licensing that protects creators and empowers buyers.
Why Licensing Matters
When you buy a digital product, you're purchasing the right to use that product in specific ways. Sola's licensing system makes it crystal clear what you can and can't do with your purchase, protecting both creators' rights and buyers' needs.
💡 Every purchase includes a license certificate - Download it with your files as legal proof of your rights.
The 4 License Tiers
Sola offers four standard license types. Creators choose which tiers to offer and set individual prices for each.
🏠 Personal Use License
For personal projects only - no commercial use allowed.
✅ What You CAN Do:
- Use for personal projects (scrapbooks, journals, home decor)
- Create gifts for friends and family (non-commercial)
- Print for personal use in your own home
- Use in school or educational projects (non-commercial)
- Share on social media for personal accounts (with creator credit)
❌ What You CANNOT Do:
- Sell items made with the design
- Use in client projects or business materials
- Redistribute or share the digital files
- Claim the design as your own
Best for: Hobbyists, personal crafters, students, home decorators
💼 Commercial Use License
Use in business and client projects - but you can't sell the design itself.
✅ What You CAN Do:
- Everything from Personal Use, PLUS:
- Use in client projects (design work, presentations, websites)
- Include in marketing materials for your business
- Use in social media content for commercial accounts
- Print for business purposes (posters, banners, signage)
- Use in digital products as part of a larger work (e.g., website templates)
❌ What You CANNOT Do:
- Sell physical products featuring the design (t-shirts, mugs, prints)
- Resell the design files themselves
- Offer the design as a free download
- Use in print-on-demand services
Best for: Freelancers, agencies, business owners, content creators, marketers
🛍️ Commercial Resale License
Sell physical products featuring the design - unlimited quantity.
✅ What You CAN Do:
- Everything from Commercial Use, PLUS:
- Sell physical products with the design (t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, phone cases)
- Use in print-on-demand services (Redbubble, Printful, Etsy POD)
- Sell unlimited quantities of physical items
- Create and sell prints, posters, and wall art
- Manufacture products in bulk for resale
❌ What You CANNOT Do:
- Resell the digital files themselves
- Offer the design as a digital download (free or paid)
- Create derivative digital products for resale
- Transfer your license to someone else
Best for: Shop owners, Etsy sellers, print-on-demand entrepreneurs, merchandisers
🌟 Full Resale Rights License
The ultimate license - resell digitally, create derivatives, unlimited use.
✅ What You CAN Do:
- Everything from Commercial Resale, PLUS:
- Resell the design as a digital product
- Create derivative works and sell them
- Include in bundles and digital product packages
- Offer as a freebie or lead magnet
- Modify, edit, and customize the design
- Use in templates and digital products you sell
- Unlimited commercial applications
❌ What You CANNOT Do:
- Claim original authorship or copyright
- Resell with master resale rights (your buyers can't resell)
- Trademark the design
Best for: Digital product sellers, template creators, course makers, PLR entrepreneurs
Choosing the Right License
Quick Decision Guide
Personal Use is perfect
You need Commercial Use
You need Commercial Resale
You need Full Resale Rights
License Restrictions & Rules
Applies to ALL License Tiers
- No copyright claims: You never own the copyright, only usage rights
- Non-transferable: You cannot sell or transfer your license to someone else
- Creator credit encouraged: Give credit when sharing on social media
- No illegal use: Cannot be used for illegal, defamatory, or adult content
- One license per person/business: Additional users need their own license
⚠️ License Violations: Using a product beyond your license terms is copyright infringement and may result in legal action by the creator.
For Creators: Setting License Prices
As a creator, you have full control over which licenses to offer and how to price them:
- Offer select tiers: You don't have to offer all 4 - choose what makes sense
- Price flexibility: Higher tiers typically cost more (2-10x Personal Use price)
- Bundle deals: Offer discounts for multi-license purchases
- Change anytime: Update pricing and availability on existing products
💰 Pricing Tip: Most creators price Full Resale Rights at 5-10x the Personal Use price since buyers can resell and generate unlimited income.
License Certificate
Every purchase automatically generates a PDF license certificate containing:
- Product name and description
- Creator information
- Buyer name and email
- License type purchased
- Purchase date and order ID
- Full license terms and restrictions
Keep this certificate! It's your legal proof of license if you ever need to verify your usage rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade my license later?
Not currently. If you need a higher license tier, you'll need to purchase the product again with the correct license. Choose wisely the first time!
Do licenses expire?
No! Sola licenses are perpetual. Once you purchase a license, you can use it forever under those terms.
What if the creator removes the product?
Your license remains valid! You can continue using the product according to your license terms even if it's no longer for sale.
Can I use one product in multiple projects?
Yes! Your license allows unlimited projects within the scope of your license tier. For example, Commercial Use allows unlimited client projects.
Still have questions about licensing?
Find the creator's contact email on their shop page to reach out directly, or contact Sola support for clarification.
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