Shutterstock operates on a non-exclusive basis, meaning you retain the copyright to all the content you upload and are free to distribute it elsewhere.
1. Copyright ownership
When you submit content to Shutterstock, you retain full copyright.
Your content is licensed to Shutterstock on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis.
You are free to:
Showcase your content anywhere.
Sell your content on other stock agencies.
Share your content on your social media accounts.
2. Non-exclusivity explained
Shutterstock does not require exclusivity. You may upload your work to Shutterstock even if it is available on other platforms.
You may also upload to other platforms content that is already for sale on Shutterstock.
3. Important considerations
Some other stock agencies may require exclusivity agreements.
If you agree to exclusivity elsewhere, you cannot sell that same content on Shutterstock or any other platform.
Always check the terms and conditions of other platforms before submitting the same content.
4. Key points to remember
Shutterstock does not require exclusivity.
You retain the copyright for all your content.
You are free to sell your work anywhere else - as long as the other platform does not require exclusivity.