Shutterstock, one of the world’s largest stock photo libraries, offers two types of license: Standard and Enhanced. The Standard License is required for editorial use of images, while the Enhanced License is require in books, film, periodicals, merchandise, TV and other commercial purposes. Each license provides specific rights to the use of the image. Thus, it is best to determine you creative needs so you can purchase the right license with your stock files.
Standard License
The Standard License comes with all Shutterstock subscriptions and images on demand. Unless you purchase the team plan with multiple number of users, only one user is allowed to use the stock file downloaded with this type of license. It allows you to use the assets in any project for as long as you like. You can also use them in any country. Where else can you use the Standard License?
- Digital Reproductions. You can use the stock assets without limits in website views, applications, email, software, e-book downloads, and more.
- Physical Productions. You can also use them in magazines, packaging, books, and advertising posters but with a limit of 500,000 copies.
- You can also use them in productions with not more than $10,000 budget. These include television, film viewers, and online video.
- Legal Indemnification. The Standard License provides up to $10,000 of legal guarantee for every stock asset you purchase.
- What are not allowed with Standard Licenses include the production of copies of merchandise for resale, web templates and print templates.
Enhanced License
What is Shutterstock Enhanced License? This type pf license is only available when you purchase an Enhanced Plan for a higher price compared to subscriptions and image packs. Like the Standard License, it cannot be shared to multiple users. Only one can use the download. It also has perpetual license duration, worldwide coverage, and unlimited digital reproductions. The differences include:
- Unlimited Physical Reproductions
- Unlimited Production Budgets
- $250,000 Legal Indemnification per Asset
- You are also allowed to make copies of merchandise for resale, web templates and print templates.
Of course, there are some restrictions when it comes to the use of both licenses. You cannot use the Standard and Enhanced Licenses for sensitive subjects such as the use of the asset for pornographic, deceptive context, defamatory and obscene purposes. You cannot use them to portray the person depicted on the visual content in connection with sensitive matters, such as pornography, tobacco products, political endorsements, medical conditions, and criminal activities. Commercial use of content marked with Editorial Use Only are also not allowed. Most of all, you are not permitted to use them as part of your logo, trademark and other similar applications.
Knowing what is Shutterstock licenses and their uses allows you to use the stock files properly to avoid copyright issues down the road.