House Rules

Envato has developed house rules which, if followed when works are submitted to Envato, will help minimize the risk another person’s copyright or other intellectual property rights being infringed.

Envato responds rapidly to developments in the online market space and these rules will also change from time to time to reflect our response to issues with which we have to deal in managing the Envato™ marketplaces.

Please revisit this page periodically to keep up to date with our house rules.

Rules for Sellers

If you are a seller, you must not submit:

1. A work based on a tutorial. You cannot submit an item that you have substantially created by following any on line tutorial.  Even if the tutorial writer has granted a license for you to use the material, we do not allow the re-creation of tutorial materials to be offered for sale on an Envato™ marketplace.
2. A work that has been decompiled or otherwise reconstructed from another work (even if that work is your own). For example: You cannot decompile a Flash file and resell it.  Unfortunately we are unable to tell the origins of a decompiled file and apply a general rule that if a work looks as though it is decompiled (even if the work from which it is decompiled is your own) we will reject it because of the risk of it being an unauthorized decompilation.  If it is your own work you should be able to recreate it.
3. A work that uses free or purchased components from any other source UNLESS you have an express license to do so. You cannot download a file then use part or all of it in a work for sale unless the conditions on which you acquired the file specifically states that it is usable in items for resale or you obtain the permission of the supplier to do so (and it is recommended that you obtain this permission in writing so you have proof if you are ever asked to prove your right to use the file.
4. A work that uses in whole or in part government or military property. You cannot submit a work that contains a reproduction of an existing coat of arms, Government seal or military insignia.  This restriction does not apply to coats of arms, seals or insignia which you have created.
5. A work containing photos, videos or sounds UNLESS you have a license to use and resell them as part of your work. The only photographs, videos or sounds allowed in works are those that are:(a)          created by the author;

   (b)          purchased or acquired under an appropriate license that allows use in an item for sale; or

   (c)          downloaded from the Envato™ Asset Library (a free resource we provide)

6. A work that includes a photograph or image of public buildings or artworks such as paintings and sculptures UNLESS you have an express license to do so.  For example: You cannot submit a work that contains a photograph of the Eiffel Tower at night or the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco.
7. A work that includes a photograph or image of a private location UNLESS you have express permission to do so. A location release is a legal document and if obtained will allow you to demonstrate that you have permission and that you are not infringing the location owners rights when taking the photographs.  We provide an example location release form which you are free to use.
8. A work that includes a person or recognizable human feature UNLESS you have express permission to do so. A model release is a legal document and if obtained will allow you to demonstrate that you have permission and that you are not infringing any rights the person may have to protect their privacy.  We provide an example model release form which you are free to use.

Rules for Buyers

If you a buyer, you must not use any works bought on an Envato™ marketplace which include:

1. A trademark UNLESS you obtain appropriate legal advice and/or all the necessary clearances, consents or licenses before you use the item.  Whether a clearance, consent or license is required will depend on the proposed use of the work and the legal advice obtained.
2. An image of a person or recognizable human feature, in a way that suggests the subject person endorses the goods or services of another, or has an association with someone, when the person does not.  If you want to use an image of a person or recognizable human feature to endorse goods or services, you should obtain all necessary clearances, consents or licenses required from the person involved.
3. An image of a public building or artwork, in a way that suggests the owners of the building or artwork endorses the goods or services of another, or has an association with someone, when the owner does not.  If you want to use an image of a public building or artwork to endorse goods or services, you should obtain all necessary clearances, consents or licenses required from the owner.