Digital Scrapbooking Terms of Use Made Simple

You may see a variety of terms of use (TOU) thrown around the digital scrapbooking world and be wondering what each of them means. I certainly did when I first started digital scrapbooking, but wanted to be even more informed once I started designing. I didn't want to infringe on any designers purpose for the products I was using - freebies or otherwise.

You should always take care to notice the TOU for each product you purchase and/or download for free because they will vary by designer, store, and item. Some designers may have a particular TOU for one item, but different terms for another item. Most designers provide a copy of their TOU in the download file so you are not left wondering or searching the internet for information. If you haven't reviewed my TOU, you can do so here.

Here is a list of the most common Terms of Use you will find in the digital scrapbooking world. Please note this is a general list and you should always contact the designer or store if you have questions about a particular product.

Commerical Use (CU) - license to use the item for purposes that will generate income. You may generally use these items to make something that you sell under a personal use license. You may not use these items to make anything for sale under a commercial use license, unless specified. More often than not you will have to alter the design of the item purchased to include it for re-sale in your digital scrapbooking kit or other product. Some designers request a credit back to their name while others do not. (AKA: CU4PU)

Commercial Use for Commercial Use (CU4CU) - license to use the items for purposes stated under the general CU, but you may also re-sell the altered products under a commercial use license. Basically, you can sell them as commercial use products, providing you have significantly altered the item and/or adhere to any other specific requirements of the particular designer/store.

Personal Use (PU) - license to use the item for any purpose that will NOT generate income. This includes your own digital scrapbook pages and other paper crafts. Credit back to the designer may or may not be requested.

Scrap for Others (S4O) - license to use the item to make digital scrapbook pages for other people that WILL NOT generate a profit. This license usually includes a stipulation that the final product is in a flattened .jpg format so the actual products purchased are not being passed along. Credit back to the designer may or may not be requested.

Scrap for Hire (S4H) - license to use the item to make digital scrapbook pages for other people that WILL generate a profit. This license usually includes a stipulation that the final product is in a flattened .jpg format so the actual products purchased are not being passed along. Credit back to the designer may or may not be requested.

Hope this quick list helps to familiarize you with digital scrapbooking's general terms. Please always read through the TOU included with your purchase and contact the designer/store if you have questions about how you want to use their items.

Happy Scrapbooking! Thanks for stopping by. :)

♥ Mandy