G-02 · Guide
The licensing checklist
You sell a licence to use the image, not the image itself. Settle each line in writing before you start; if the client's contract says something different, the contract wins.
- Copyright stays with you. Write "The illustrator keeps the copyright" in the quote.
- The media. Name them. "All media now known or later devised" is a buyout; price it as one.
- The territory. UK, Europe or worldwide. Online is worldwide by nature: say so.
- The term. One issue and its archive, one year, three years. "In perpetuity" belongs on a buyout.
- Exclusivity. Non-exclusive is the default; exclusive costs more.
- The print run. Books, packaging and posters: reprints over the number trigger a further fee.
- Changes to the image. Cropping and type, yes. Redrawing or recolouring, ask first.
- Your credit. The credit line word for word, and a link to your site online.
- AI training. "The client may not use the work to train or fine-tune any machine learning model."
- Sublicensing. Allow it for production only.
- The original artwork. It stays yours and comes back after scanning, by tracked post at their cost.
- Payment and kill fee. 30 days; 30% after roughs, 60% after the final starts; "the licence starts when the invoice is paid in full".
Copy the twelve lines into the quote and licence template (T-01) and send it before the client sends their contract.
- Copyright stays with you. Write "The illustrator keeps the copyright" in the quote.
- The media. Name them. "All media now known or later devised" is a buyout; price it as one.
- The territory. UK, Europe or worldwide. Online is worldwide by nature: say so.
- The term. One issue and its archive, one year, three years. "In perpetuity" belongs on a buyout.
- Exclusivity. Non-exclusive is the default; exclusive costs more.
- The print run. Books, packaging and posters: reprints over the number trigger a further fee.
- Changes to the image. Cropping and type, yes. Redrawing or recolouring, ask first.
- Your credit. The credit line word for word, and a link to your site online.
- AI training. "The client may not use the work to train or fine-tune any machine learning model."
- Sublicensing. Allow it for production only.
- The original artwork. It stays yours and comes back after scanning, by tracked post at their cost.
- Payment and kill fee. 30 days; 30% after roughs, 60% after the final starts; "the licence starts when the invoice is paid in full".
Copy the twelve lines into the quote and licence template (T-01) and send it before the client sends their contract.
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