When customers download content from Shutterstock they are purchasing a royalty free license, they do not purchase ownership or exclusive rights to the content. The type of license used to download your content determines how the content can be used by the customer.
Standard and Enhanced License
These two licenses are offered with our image packs and subscription plans. They are very similar, but for these main exceptions:
Standard License limits the number of copies that can be made of an image, there is no limit with an Enhanced License
Enhanced License allows images to be used for merchandise, Standard License does not
A more detailed comparison can be viewed here:
Shutterstock Standard Image License vs. Enhanced Image License
Music: Standard and Enhanced Licenses
The following use of content is not allowed with the Standard or Enhanced Shutterstock license:
Sensitive use (such as pornography, or for tobacco ads, political endorsements, or any use that could be defamatory if a model is depicted in the image)
Commercial use of editorial content
Using content as a logo or trademark
Premier License
This is the strongest license offered by Shutterstock and is designed with enterprise clients such as publishers and ad agencies in mind.
License may include such things as full indemnification, unwatermarked comps, and some sensitive use
Learn more about Shutterstock's Premier license.
Video License
Our video content is covered by a Standard or Enhanced license, with the latter offering greater coverage. Learn more about both options here.
You will earn a percentage of the sale price from each licensed download based on your Earnings Level. You can learn more about it here.