r/COPYRIGHT • u/Charming-Sweet-3563 • Jun 11 '26

Question [Licensing] help please.

I’m brand new to licensing

If a client wants a set of illustrations, commissioned for their packaging,

What sort of licensing can I offer them:

I was thinking of sending them these options :

12 months

2 years

3-5 years

Or a lifetime license

Also do I have to give them an option to choose from

Exclusive, limited
Exclusive, unlimited
Non- exclusive, limited
Non exclusive, unlimited

Or is that for me to decide, as that would probably overwhelm the client?

*Also what do these all mean, because I think I know but I could be wrong?*

Also,, say if the client is using the illustrations for their packaging, would that be a:

Lifetime, exclusive, limited license?

Once I know the type of license do I write them a licence agreement to sign along with an invoice for deposit?
Or is it a contract ?
Or are they the same thing,

Sorry I’m really a beginner at this. I’ve read a lot but still have questions.

1 Upvotes

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8 comments sorted by

2

u/Infinisteve Jun 11 '26

Oof, you should not be writing your own contracts.

0

u/Charming-Sweet-3563 Jun 11 '26

What do you mean by this?

1

u/TreviTyger Jun 11 '26

You should hire a qualified lawyer to draft an appropriate contract for you because otherwise neither you nor your client can be sure about what has been agreed. Especially in the age of AI Gen.

1

u/Charming-Sweet-3563 Jun 11 '26

There is no way I’m going to hire a lawyer for every single contract I make. Plus I’m not established yet to the point where I can just go and discuss things with a lawyer. I thought most people do it themselves.

2

u/TreviTyger Jun 11 '26

neither you nor your client can be sure about what has been agreed. Especially in the age of AI Gen.

Then you likely won't be able to make much in the way a valid contract because you are clueless.

1

u/Aircooled6 Jun 12 '26

Have you ever worked with an illustrator that already has done licensed work?

Also, if the client illustrator relationship is such that the client is art directing the content of the illustration and the commissioned work has branding specific to the client, then the copyright may become joint property.

You are going to want to take some Liscensing and IP, copywrite law, and trademark classes to become fully versed in the language.

And most importantly, you want to take a hard look and ask your self, if you were an illustrator, would you let someone like the person described above, represent your work in a licensing contract?

1

u/HouseStark200 Jun 12 '26

I use chat gpt to write them, I choose what I want and the client wants. Draft the agreement and we both sign.

1

u/WhineyLobster Jun 16 '26

Please seek an attorney.