Asset Library assets have been licensed for use in items for sale on the Envato Marketplaces only. By downloading or using the files you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions:

1. You are an Envato author.
2. Any assets downloaded will be used exclusively within items for sale on the Envato Marketplaces.
3. Items that include these assets cannot be sold outside of the Envato Marketplaces, even if that author is not selling exclusively with us.
4. You will not use these files in any way other than for the purpose of building products for sale on Envato sites.
5. You will not resell or redistribute these files in any way other than via Envato sites.

You can view the asset library and download assets if you are an author – just go to your Author Dashboard and you can access it under Author Resources.

When creating a file, it can be incredibly useful to use assets that you didn’t create yourself. For example, many ActiveDen authors will buy stock photos to better showcase an image gallery they’re selling. Another good example is how ThemeForest authors will often use code libraries like jQuery to enhance their files.

To be able to use any asset that you didn’t create, you must have the appropriate license, including for use in previews. Remember, it’s the responsibility of the author to verify the copyright of assets used.  Envato follows a DMCA procedure and items which are the subject of a DMCA notice will be taken down.  There may be other consequences such as account disablement, freezing of funds, and potential legal action from copyright holders.

Assets in Preview Files vs. the Main Download

When you submit an item to the Envato marketplaces, you’ll always upload a preview as well as a main file. The preview files are only viewed online, whereas the main files are downloaded and distributed to hundreds and sometimes thousands of users. This makes the rules for using assets in each different, although assets still need to be licensed for preview use.

Assets in Preview Files

Assets used in preview files need to be properly licensed for such commercial use. Because the asset is not being resold or redistributed, you will not need a re-sale or re-distribution license as you would for use of that asset in the download file.  However you will still need a license for a commercial use (reproduction) within the preview file.  It’s important to read each license carefully to make sure your intended use of the asset complies with the license terms.

Assets In the Main Download

To be able to use an asset in your main download (the ZIP that gets distributed to the buyers), you must have the rights to resell the asset. Though having the right to resell is usually enough, always read the license carefully to make sure there’s nothing else that might prohibit you from distributing the asset.  For example, check whether the asset can be distributed in any format, or whether it needs to be incorporated into your item such that it cannot be extracted by end users on a stand-alone basis.

What if You’re Unsure About the License?

If you’re unsure whether the asset’s license allows you to use the asset in your preview or main download, ask either the license holder or a lawyer. Unfortunately, Envato support cannot help you interpret anyone else’s licenses. Again, it’s the responsibility of the author to verify the licenses of assets they use.  When using any source for assets, whether free or paid, read and understand the license terms and confirm that your intended use complies with the license.

Do not use images obtained under a comping licence from stock photos sites, even in previews.  A comping licence grants the user the right to use the image in an internal, unpublished use or to show a mock-up to a client. A comping licence typically will not allow use of an image in a preview of a commercially available template or marketplace item.

Model release issues and use of images of ‘famous’ people

Do not use images of people, pets, or private property unless they are from sites which make available such images for commercial use (these sites need to have obtained model releases for commercial use of such images).  If you’re unsure, check with the site whether they guarantee that such images are model released.

Do not use images of actors, celebrities, professionals or others who rely on their image or persona to make a living.  It is highly unlikely that these types of people will have ever provided model releases for general commercial use of their images.

What do I need to do in the upload process?

You will be asked in the upload process to check the box that says: “Any images, sounds, video, code, flash, or other assets that are not my own work, have been appropriately licensed for use in the file preview or main download. Other than these items, this work is entirely my own and I have full rights to sell it on [site].“

Assets You’re Welcome to Use

Here’s a list of assets you’re welcome to use in your preview and/or main download:

1. Assets in the Envato Asset Library
2. Your own work (however we may still ask for valid model or location release if your asset contains a recognizable human feature or private property).
3. Someone else’s items available on Envato marketplace (preview only) – Let’s say you’d like to use a video from VideoHive in the preview of your WordPress theme. This helps you have a nicer looking preview and helps give other authors some extra exposure. This is acceptable as long as you:

(a)     only include the watermarked preview

(b)     only include it in the preview, not the main download

(c)     clearly link to the file in your description

(d)     state clearly that the file itself is not included in the main download

For use of another author’s item in a downloaded item, or in a preview without watermarking, you will need to license the item appropriately.

Other potential sources for assets

Other potential sources authors commonly use to source assets are:

1. Stock libraries.  As stated above, check the licence terms carefully against your intended use of the asset.  Avoid sources if you are not confident that the site has followed appropriate procedures in sourcing its assets.  Even sites containing free images may put licence terms on those images.  Do not assume that all free images can be used for a commercial end-use; check the license terms.
2. Flickr.  If you choose to use Flickr as a source of images, either get clear written permission or a license from the Flickr author, or only use images that are made available for commercial use under a Creative Commons license.  There are different Creative Commons licences, and only some allow commercial use.  In addition you will need to follow the attribution and licensing requirements under the Creative Commons license.

1. Clean Up Your Isolated Object: All submissions must be photographic objects only. Graphics and 3D renders will not be accepted. If you wish to submit a 3D render, please use the Graphics -> 3D Renders category instead.Follow these guidelines to create the Photoshop file containing your hi-res isolated object:
   1. Clip or mask your object in Photoshop to fully and cleanly separate it from the background.
   2. Place the object on it’s own layer.
   3. If the object has a shadow, place the shadow on it’s own layer.
   4. DO make sure the object clipping edges are smooth and clean.
   5. DO NOT flatten your Photoshop File.
   6. DO NOT rasterize layers unnecessarily.
   7. DO NOT merge layers unnecessarily.
   8. DO use non-destructive editing methods—masks, vector smart objects and other Photoshop tools—to provide the buyer with the most flexibility.
2. Create the Final Download File:You should create a single ZIP file that contains the final files for download, including: the hi-res JPG and layered PSD file, any documentation and any auxiliary files such as extra images or file formats. This is the file that a user will get when they buy the item. Make it as complete as possible.Optional Help File: You may if you wish include a text or PDF help file showing how the item can be used, what fonts are used or other help on customizing and using the item.
3. Create your Preview Image:Create a preview JPG image of the file. The preview image should be 590px wide and a static JPG saved for the web. The preview can be as vertically tall as you desire, however we recommend previews no larger than 700 pixels tall for optimal viewing. The preview should represent as much of your file as possible. A watermark will be applied automatically to the image.Note: Please use the Save for Web function in Adobe software; this strips excess information from the file and keeps the file size small. The maximum file size should be 400kb.
4. Create a Thumbnail:Finally create an 80px x 80px JPG or PNG thumbnail for your file. The thumbnail should represent your item in some way.Note: Please use the Save for Web function in Adobe software; this strips excess information from the file and keeps the file size small. The maximum file size should be 50kb.
5. Upload your files to GraphicRiver!

What are Model And Property Releases?

A model release is a legal release signed by the subject of a photograph or video granting permission to use or publish the photograph or video in one form or another. You can read a full description of what a model release is at Wikipedia.

If you are including in your item the face or identifiable features of any person on video, photograph, or a traced illustration, you will need a signed model release from that person.

A property release is a legal release signed by the owner of property used in a photograph or video granting permission to use or publish the photograph or video in one form or another.

If you are including the depiction of recognizable private property on video on video, photograph, or a traced illustration, you will need a signed location release from the property owner.

Authors do not need one for public property, such as government buildings (although you  may run into problems just from photographing/videoing them, for security reasons!). But for images of private property — and particularly of objects that are closely identified with specific people —  photographers are urged to get a release.

Commercial vs Editorial Use

If the media is used in an advertisement or promotion it will need a release, but the Author can sell an image for “Editorial use” even if it doesn’t have a release. Since, at this point in time, Envato does not offer Editorial licenses, any image, likeness, or  uploaded to the PhotoDune site containing an easily recognised person or prominent, trade-mark protected property must have attached to it the correct forms.

Commercial Use: Defined as any media to which money exchanges hands. Money could be paid for the subject of the photograph/footage/media or the media itself. Wholesale, retail, and professional uses of photography would fall under this definition. The commercial photographic world could include: Advertising photography: photographs made to illustrate and usually sell a service or product. These images are generally done with an advertising agency, design firm or with an in-house corporate design team.

Editorial Use: when an image is used in conjunction with, and to illustrate, a news related story or any non-commercial text demanding imagery. Examples include magazines, newspapers, features and books.

Sample Release Agreements

It is your responsibility to ensure you use the correct model and property release for your projects, and that they protect both yourself and models you work with or the owner of any private property used. However, we do have several standard release templates that you may choose to use, under the understanding that Envato can accept no responsibility for any liabilities you may incur.

Here is the Envato Marketplace property release:

• Adult Release (PDF) – This is the form most commonly referred to as a “model release”. The language of this release is intended for use by models over the age of 18
• Minor Release – Minor (PDF) -This variant of the model release contains language referring to the model (who is a minor) in the third-person, and required signature by a parent or other legal guardian of the model. A release which is not signed by a parent or guardian affords no legal protection to the publisher.
• Property Release (PDF) – If you are including the depiction of recognizable private property on video on video, photograph, or a traced illustration, you will need a signed location release from the property owner.