Understanding licensing is essential for using design assets legally and ethically. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about asset licenses on seekpik.
Licensing protects both creators and users of digital assets. For creators, licenses ensure their work is used appropriately and they receive proper credit. For users, licenses provide legal clarity about how assets can be used, protecting you from copyright infringement claims.
Using assets without understanding their license can lead to serious consequences including legal action, financial penalties, and damage to your professional reputation. Taking a few minutes to understand licensing can save you from significant problems down the road.
We offer several license types to accommodate different use cases. Each license has specific terms regarding commercial use, attribution, and restrictions.
Most common license type on seekpik
Royalty-free doesn't mean "free of cost" or "free to do anything." It means you pay once (or in our case, download for free) and can use the asset multiple times without paying additional royalties or usage fees. However, there are still restrictions on how you can use the asset.
Marketing materials, websites, mobile apps, presentations, social media content, client projects, and any commercial use where you need flexible, long-term usage rights.
Various levels of openness and restrictions
Creative Commons (CC) licenses provide a standardized way for creators to grant permissions. There are six main CC license types, each with different requirements:
Most permissive CC license. You can use, modify, and distribute for any purpose, including commercially, as long as you provide attribution.
Example use: Blog graphics, commercial designs, modified versions
Similar to CC BY, but any derivatives must be shared under the same license. Good for collaborative projects.
Example use: Open-source projects, educational materials, community resources
You can use commercially with attribution, but cannot modify the asset. Must be used as-is.
Example use: Presentations, reports, unmodified graphics in layouts
You can use and modify with attribution, but only for non-commercial purposes. No commercial use allowed.
Example use: Personal projects, educational materials, non-profit work
Non-commercial use only, with attribution, and derivatives must use the same license.
Example use: Educational projects, personal blogs, community resources
Most restrictive CC license. Non-commercial use only, with attribution, and no modifications allowed.
Example use: Personal collections, educational displays, unmodified sharing
No copyright restrictions
Public domain assets have no copyright restrictions. Creators have waived all rights, allowing you to use the asset for any purpose without attribution or restrictions.
"Commercial use" is a common source of confusion. Here's a clear explanation of what constitutes commercial use and how it affects your projects.
These activities are considered commercial use and require a license that permits commercial use:
These activities are typically considered personal use:
Many licenses require attribution (credit to the creator). Here's how to provide proper attribution in different contexts.
A complete attribution typically includes these elements:
Understanding what NOT to do is just as important as knowing what you can do. Here are the most common license violations and how to avoid them.
Violation: Downloading assets and selling them as-is or in collections, or offering them for download on your own website.
Why it's wrong: This undermines the creator's work and violates nearly all license types.
Correct approach: Use assets in your projects and sell the final product, not the original files. For example, use icons in an app you sell, but don't sell the icon files themselves.
Violation: Using assets with "Non-Commercial" licenses (like CC BY-NC) in commercial projects, client work, or monetized content.
Why it's wrong: The creator explicitly restricted commercial use, and violating this can result in legal action.
Correct approach: Always check the license before using assets in any project where money is involved. Choose assets with commercial use permissions for business projects.
Violation: Using assets that require attribution without crediting the creator, or providing incomplete attribution.
Why it's wrong: Attribution is often the only "payment" creators receive for their work. Failing to provide it violates the license terms.
Correct approach: Always check if attribution is required and provide complete, visible credit as specified in the license. Set up a system to track attribution requirements for all assets you use.
Violation: Presenting downloaded assets as your original creations, removing creator watermarks, or claiming copyright over assets you didn't create.
Why it's wrong: This is plagiarism and copyright infringement, potentially resulting in legal action and professional consequences.
Correct approach: Be honest about which elements you created versus which you sourced. In portfolios, clearly indicate "Design using assets from seekpik" or similar disclosure.
Violation: Modifying assets licensed under "No Derivatives" (ND) terms, such as CC BY-ND or CC BY-NC-ND.
Why it's wrong: The creator has explicitly prohibited modifications, and changing the asset violates the license.
Correct approach: Use ND-licensed assets exactly as provided, or choose assets with licenses that permit modifications if you need to customize them.
Violation: Registering downloaded assets (or minimally modified versions) as trademarks or claiming exclusive rights to them.
Why it's wrong: Most licenses explicitly prohibit trademark registration because assets are non-exclusive (others can use them too).
Correct approach: Commission custom, exclusive designs for logos and trademarks, or significantly transform assets to create truly original work. Consult with a trademark attorney before registering any design.
| License Type | Commercial Use | Attribution | Modifications | Redistribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty-Free | ✓ Yes | Varies | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| CC BY | ✓ Yes | ✓ Required | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes* |
| CC BY-SA | ✓ Yes | ✓ Required | ✓ Yes | ✓ Same License |
| CC BY-ND | ✓ Yes | ✓ Required | ✗ No | ✓ Yes* |
| CC BY-NC | ✗ No | ✓ Required | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes* |
| CC BY-NC-SA | ✗ No | ✓ Required | ✓ Yes | ✓ Same License |
| CC BY-NC-ND | ✗ No | ✓ Required | ✗ No | ✓ Yes* |
| Public Domain (CC0) | ✓ Yes | ✗ Not Required | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
* Redistribution allowed with proper attribution and license compliance. Cannot resell as standalone files.
Licensing can be complex, and we're here to help clarify any confusion. If you have specific questions about using an asset or understanding license terms, don't hesitate to reach out.
Email: legal@seekpik.com
For questions about license interpretation, compliance, and general licensing guidance.
Email: support@seekpik.com
For questions about specific assets, their licenses, or usage permissions.