Frequently asked questions page

A single application means one unique end product (which can be copied and made available to end users of that product). The end product depends on the nature of the item – for an item like a logo template, the end product is the final, unique logo, which can be used in unlimited ways. The next few FAQs explain some situations where we consider allowed variations or a series of related uses to be a single application.

Most of our licenses are single application, however see the “Permitted Multi-Use” FAQ section for a few specific exceptions. Where multi-use is an available option, the single application FAQs here do not apply.

Example: A website theme can only be customized to create one customized website. If you want to create a second website from the same theme, you should purchase another license.

No. You only need to purchase the item once per series.

To be considered a series, all things in the series (eg episode, edition) must be connected, and be released within 1 year of the first installment. There is also a maximum of 52 episodes or editions within the series.

Example: A 12 episode TV series that starts in December and ends in July would only require a single license. A YouTube series that releases an episode every week (52 total) would only need to purchase a license once every year. A magazine that releases an edition every other month would need to purchase a license once every year.

In addition to a series, allowed variations of an end product that are still considered a single application include:

• Translations – the same end product simply translated into a different language
• Cut-downs – a shortened version of an end product where no new content has been added
• Tag changes – minor revisions to text or content

The one that applied when you purchased the item. See your license certificate or ask us for details.

Generally, your license is not transferable. There are a few exceptions:

1. If you are a freelancer / agency using the item for a single end product for one client. The license would in effect be transferred to the client.
2. If you sell the single instance of an end product, such as a website installation. The license would in effect be transferred to the new owner.
3. If you are using the item as part of an on-demand “create-your-own” service where you purchase a separate license on behalf of the customer for each individual end product they make. Each license would in effect be transferred to the customer.
4. If you are a 3rd party purchasing a license to use as a prize / giveaway (see this help article for more information on external promotions). The license would in effect be transferred to the recipient of the giveaway.

In all of these cases, be sure to point the client / customer / recipient to the license terms and delete the item from your own systems.

Example: You use a theme to create your website. Later, you sell that website to someone else. You are allowed to do this, but you then must delete the theme from your systems.

No, it’s not mandatory to give the author credit. But we do encourage that if your end product has credits as part of its design (such as a film or TV show), please credit the author and Envato Market. Also, as the author retains ownership of the item, you shouldn’t claim copyright in the item.

Example: If you used footage in your movie that already has credits, we ask that you include a credit. If you use a button graphic in a website, you don’t have to credit the author of the button graphic.

You should not permit end users of the end product to extract an item from the end product. You should do this by technological means if feasible, or by other means, like in the user terms for your end product.

Example: When you upload your website template, be sure to not also upload the ZIP with all the source files.

‘Not property released’ means that the author of the item you’ve purchased may not be the owner of the intellectual property rights in a real-world product or trademark that appears in the item. If an item contains a real-world product or trademark (or any other real object or building), the original owner of copyright, trademark or other rights in that real-world thing may not have cleared the item. If an item does not contain a real world product, trademark or other real object, then this notice doesn’t apply.

So if you want to use the item for your project, you’ll need to consider how you’ll be using the item. If it’s for a non-editorial purpose you’ll need to get clearance from the original rights owner. That’s because there is no connection between the original rights owner and Envato or the author. The original rights owner also does not endorse the item, the author or Envato.

For example, the author has created a 3D model of a Mercedes car. The car is a real-world product which the author did not create. Although the author created and owns the 3D model, they don’t own any intellectual property rights in the real car itself, Mercedes does. So it’s OK to use the 3D model for editorial purposes but if you want to use that 3D model for other purposes, you’ll need to contact Mercedes to get permission.

If you’re not sure whether the item contains something that might need further permissions for use, ask the author whether it contains a real-world product or trademark. If you’re not sure whether you need permission for your particular use, you can look at the product owner’s brand use or product use guidelines, or contact the product owner directly. If this is something you’re not able to do, another item containing a generic product or a product of the author’s own creation might suit your needs.

Editorial use means using an item only for news or journalistic purposes like in blogs, magazine and newspaper editorial applications.

Sometimes an author will choose to distribute a theme or plugin item on the basis that it’s 100% GPL (GPL stands for “general public license” and is an open source license). If so, this is noted on the item page and license information will be included in the download files. In these cases, the GPL license applies to the whole item instead of the terms of the Regular or Extended License. Different versions of the GPL exist and the relevant version of the GPL will identified. You will need to make sure that you read and abide by the GPL terms. Other items have a split license – more info on that here

Yes. Royalty free means you pay for the item once for each end product, and you don’t need to pay any additional or ongoing fees for each person who sees or uses it. This is separate to whether you need a clearance from the owner of rights in the real world product or trademark within an item.