Video Game licensing and Envato Elements subscription

Envato Customers Purchases and Subscriptions
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I just sent off the following to Envato Support but thought I’d post it here too. I see a lot of developers (in the Unity and Unreal communities) who are using Envato Elements in their games, and I had intended to do the same, but I think there’s some very questionable notes in the license and FAQ that I’d really like to get clarity on.

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I know that a lot of indie game developers are using Envato Elements (graphics, fonts, sounds, music) for their video games, and I had intended to do the same.

I’ve come across a few items in your FAQ though that I’m really questioning and would like “official” answers on.

In particular, see attached screenshot. The wording “or make any changes to the End Product you created”. Would this indicate that if a person was to release a finished Video Game which uses Envato Elements, then cancel their subscription to Envato Elements, they would not be able to release update/new versions of the Video Game - i.e. typical bug-fix releases etc - without re-subscribing to Envato or without having maintained a constant subscription (though it wouldn’t be needed at that point)?

Also, “Your license for the End Product is only valid if you complete it while you subscription is active” is quite unclear. Can you clarify? For example, say I subscribe for one month in January 2024 and download 90% of the assets needed for my game project. I then unsubscribe and work on my game for 2 years. It’s ready for release in February 2026, but at the last minute I need a few more assets, so I resubscribe for the month of February, complete the game and release it. Then unsubscribe. Is that a valid use case, or would that be breaching the rules? i.e. would I need to be subscribed from January 2024 until February 2026, even though I only need the subscription for 2 months “worth of gathering assets”?

There’s also the referenced forum link, where I joined a discussion around the licensing of music, to which no clear answer was ever reached. Are you able to clarify that? i.e. re music files specifically within the Envato Elements range.

Forum thread discussing Music licensing

Screenshot from FAQ 1

Screenshot from FAQ 2

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No, you cannot do that. You will need to keep the subscription during the period of development. If you started now and it will take 2 years, you will have to have the active subscription.

The license starts when you Register your use of the item and the license is only valid if you complete the End Product while your subscription is active. Then the license continues for the life of the End Product (even if your subscription ends).

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Official response from support. Important for indie game devs (or anyone on a long-running project) to keep this in mind. i.e. you cannot subscribe for a month, download all the assets you need, then unsubscribe and work on your project.

In this instance, the End Product is the Videogame, which incorporates graphic and audio assets in several ways for the user to interact with, however, as mentioned in our license terms, it is required to have an active Elements license while working on the End Product until it is completed. In your case, I would suggest subscribing to our annual subscription plan, this way you can download assets when needed, and continue working on your project without limitations. Regarding music items, they can be used with your End Product as long as it is not used for Broadcast services and of course, part of the End product to be larger in scope and different in nature.

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It’s great that you reached out to Envato Support for clarity. I’ve noticed the same thing with developers using Envato Elements assets, but those licensing details can definitely be confusing. It’s always a good idea to double-check the terms, especially when it comes to using assets in games. Hopefully, support clears things up for you, and it would be awesome if you shared any insights you get with the community!