ResinGuild Licensing Options
At ResinGuild, we are committed to fostering a community where creators and 3D printing enthusiasts can share and enjoy designs while respecting intellectual property rights. To achieve this, we have established a clear licensing system for all designs uploaded to our platform. Each license defines what users can and cannot do with the designs they download, ensuring that creators retain control over their work.
This document explains the three licensing options available on ResinGuild:
- ResinGuild Standard License
- ResinGuild Merchant License
- Creative Commons Licenses
It is essential for both creators and users to understand and adhere to these terms to maintain a fair and respectful marketplace.
General Principles Applicable to All Licenses
Regardless of the specific license chosen, the following principles apply to all designs on ResinGuild:
- Creator Ownership: Creators retain full ownership of their designs, including all copyright and intellectual property rights.
- No Unauthorized Sharing: Users must not share, distribute, or sell digital files without explicit permission from the creator.
- Compliance with License Terms: Any use of a design must comply with the terms of the applicable license. Failure to do so may result in account suspension or other penalties.
Overview
The ResinGuild Standard License is designed for personal, non-commercial use only. It is the default license for paid digital files unless otherwise specified by the creator.
Allowed Uses
- Personal Printing: You may print the design for your own personal use.
- Sharing Media: You may share images or videos of your printed model, provided you credit the original creator (e.g., by tagging them on social media or linking to their ResinGuild profile).
Prohibited Uses
- Selling or Distributing Prints: You may not sell, distribute, or otherwise transfer the printed model to others.
- Modifying Digital Files: You may not modify the digital file in any way that would allow redistribution or sharing.
- Sharing Digital Files: You may not share, resell, sublicense, rent, host, or transfer the digital file.
- Commercial Use: You may not use the design for any commercial purpose, including but not limited to:
- Selling printed models.
- Charging for printing services.
- Using the design in a business context (e.g., promotional materials).
Copyright and Attribution
The creator retains all copyright and intellectual property rights to the design. When sharing media of your prints, proper attribution to the creator is required.
Overview
The ResinGuild Merchant License allows users to engage in commercial activities with physical prints while protecting the creator’s digital files. This license is ideal for users who wish to sell printed models but not the digital files themselves.
Allowed Uses
- Printing and Selling Physical Copies: You may print the design and sell the physical copies (e.g., on platforms like Etsy or at conventions).
- Sharing Media: You may share images or videos of your printed models, provided you credit the original creator.
Prohibited Uses
- Selling or Sharing Digital Files: You may not sell, share, distribute, or transfer the digital files.
- Modifying Digital Files for Redistribution: You may not modify the digital files in any way that would allow redistribution or sharing.
- Implying Endorsement: You may not use the design in a way that implies endorsement by the creator without their explicit permission.
Copyright and Attribution
The creator retains all copyright and intellectual property rights to the design. When selling or sharing media of your prints, proper attribution to the creator is required.
Creative Commons Licenses
Overview
Creative Commons (CC) licenses provide creators with flexible options to specify how their designs can be used. These licenses range from allowing broad use (including modifications and commercial applications) to more restrictive terms. Creators on ResinGuild may choose any Creative Commons license that suits their preferences.
Key Points
- Variety of Terms: Depending on the specific CC license chosen, users may be allowed to:
- Share and redistribute the design.
- Modify the design and create derivative works.
- Use the design for commercial purposes.
- License-Specific Requirements: Each CC license has unique conditions, such as:
- Attribution (BY): Users must credit the creator.
- Non-Commercial (NC): Use is restricted to non-commercial purposes.
- No Derivatives (ND): Modifications are not allowed.
- Share Alike (SA): Derivatives must be shared under the same license.
- Check Each Design: Users must review the specific CC license applied to each design to understand what is permitted.
For detailed explanations of each Creative Commons license, visit the Creative Commons website.
Special Considerations for Wargaming and D&D
Intellectual Property and Copyrighted Designs
- Prohibition on Copyrighted Materials: Many wargaming and D&D designs are protected by copyright (e.g., characters from Games Workshop or Wizards of the Coast). Printing, selling, or distributing exact copies of copyrighted designs is illegal.
- Original and Proxy Designs: Users may only upload, print, or sell original designs or those explicitly licensed for such use. Proxy designs (original creations inspired by but not copying existing works) may be permissible, but users must ensure they do not infringe on existing copyrights.
Commercial Use Clarification
- Definition of Commercial Use: Commercial use includes any activity where you receive payment or compensation for the printed models, such as:
- Selling prints on platforms like Etsy or eBay.
- Charging for printing services.
- Using prints in a business context (e.g., promotional giveaways).
- Non-Commercial Use: Printing for personal use or as a gift for a friend is generally non-commercial, provided no payment is involved. However, charging for the cost of materials or printing services may be considered commercial use.
Remixing and Modifications
- Standard and Merchant Licenses: These licenses do not permit modifying the digital files for redistribution or sharing.
- Creative Commons Licenses: Some CC licenses (e.g., CC BY or CC BY-SA) allow modifications and the creation of derivative works, provided the terms (such as attribution or share-alike) are followed.
- Attribution for Derivatives: If modifications are allowed, users must credit the original creator and, in some cases, share derivatives under the same license.
Exclusivity of Designs
Some designs on ResinGuild may be exclusive, meaning they cannot be uploaded or shared on other platforms without the creator’s explicit permission. This helps maintain the uniqueness of our marketplace and respects the creators’ distribution preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I print a model for a friend?
Standard License: Yes, as long as it is for personal use and no payment is involved. Charging for the print (even at cost) may be considered commercial use, which is prohibited.
Merchant License: Yes, and you may charge for the print, as this license allows for commercial use of physical prints.
Can I modify a design?
Standard and Merchant Licenses: No, modifications for redistribution or sharing are not permitted.
Creative Commons Licenses: It depends on the specific license. Some CC licenses allow modifications (e.g., CC BY), while others do not (e.g., CC BY-ND).
How do I know which license applies to a design?
Each design’s page on ResinGuild clearly states the applicable license. Be sure to review this information before downloading or using the design.
What constitutes commercial use?
Commercial use includes selling printed models, charging for printing services, or using the design in a business context. Non-commercial use is limited to personal enjoyment or gifting without payment.
Can I share the digital files with others?
No, sharing digital files is prohibited under both the Standard and Merchant licenses. For Creative Commons licenses, sharing may be allowed depending on the specific terms (e.g., CC BY allows sharing with attribution).
License Comparison Table
For quick reference, the table below summarizes the key differences between the licensing options:
| License Type | Personal Use | Sell Physical Prints | Modify Files | Share Files | Copyright |
|---|
| Standard License | Yes | No | No | No | Creator |
| Merchant License | Yes | Yes | No | No | Creator |
| Creative Commons | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Creator |
Note: For Creative Commons licenses, the specific terms depend on the chosen license.
Enforcement and Reporting
ResinGuild takes licensing violations seriously. If you believe a user is misusing a design or violating the terms of a license, please report it to our support team at [email protected]. Users found to be in violation may face account suspension or other penalties.
Choosing a License as a Creator
Creators can select the appropriate license for their designs during the upload process. It is important to choose the license that best reflects how you want your work to be used:
- Standard License: Best for designs intended for personal use only.
- Merchant License: Ideal for allowing users to sell physical prints while protecting digital files.
- Creative Commons: Offers flexibility for sharing, modifications, or commercial use, depending on the specific terms you choose.
If you are unsure which license to select, our support team can provide guidance.
Conclusion
Respecting the licensing terms is essential for supporting our creators and ensuring the continued growth of the ResinGuild community. By adhering to these guidelines, you help foster a fair, creative, and legally compliant environment for all users. If you have any questions about licensing or need clarification on specific terms, please contact our support team at [email protected].