Who Can Really Use Your Prints After You License Them?

Licensing patterns and prints online is both a great business move and a bit of a legal minefield. If you’re showcasing your designs on your website and hoping to land collaborations or product deals, you’ll almost certainly be asked about licensing. But what does a licence really mean, and why does all the detail matter in your strategy for licensing artwork?

A licence, at its core, is simply you giving someone permission to use your creative work, but on your terms. Unlike selling your copyright (which is like handing over your house keys and never getting them back), licensing lets you keep ownership. Instead, you decide exactly who gets to use your pattern, for what, for how long, and where. Imagine someone contacts Rachael King Design and wants to use your “Flowery Daydream” print for a new line of cushions.

You could license it to them exclusively — meaning only they can use it for cushions for, let’s say, two years — or you might choose a non‑exclusive licence and let other brands use it too, maybe for wallpaper or notebooks. That way, your beautiful design gets used, and you keep earning from your prints while also protecting your creative rights and applying surface pattern design legal tips.

There are actually a few types of licences to play with. An exclusive licence means just one client gets all the rights for the agreed product and period — even the owner cannot use or license the same pattern for that purpose until the licence ends. A sole licence gives the licensee exclusive rights to use the work, but unlike an exclusive licence, the licensor can still use it themselves — they just can’t license it to anyone else. A non‑exclusive licence gives you freedom to grant others the same rights at the same time, which is perfect if you’re running an online business and want to sell digital patterns to multiple people.

Every licence should clearly say what it covers: e.g., “for digital wallpaper downloads only, for 12 months, Australia‑wide.” Without that kind of clarity, you could find your artwork popping up in places you didn’t expect — and often, with no extra money coming your way. Protecting your prints isn’t just about making the sale — it’s about defining boundaries, setting the licence terms, and enforcing them later.

But — and it’s a big but — the language matters, and so do the boundaries. There are lots of things to think about in your licensing contracts for designers. Maybe you don’t want someone resizing your design, recolouring it, or using it for items you’d rather not be associated with (think: aprons versus ashtrays). Or maybe you want credit wherever your work appears. These details aren’t just lawyer‑speak; they protect your reputation and your income. For example, suppose you allow use of your “Confetti Rain” pattern on calendars, but never discuss mugs. A big stationery brand takes the pattern and suddenly your art is on kitchenware across Australia — without your say‑so, and with none of the profit. If your licence didn’t spell out exactly what’s covered, you’re left with a headache and a difficult argument. As a lawyer who advises on licensing artwork and surface pattern design legal tips, this is what we see happening all the time.

Of course, there’s another side too — if the client goes bust or starts using your work far beyond what you agreed, what happens next? That’s where well‑written licences help you get paid or take action. And don’t forget: when things get messy (and they sometimes do), the one with the clearer agreement usually comes out ahead. There’s a reason business lawyer Benjamin Cardozo warned: “What you don’t spell out can come back to haunt you.”

So, with all this in mind, it’s tempting to grab a template from the internet or put something together from old emails. But licensing law is full of little nuances — like the difference between a licence and an assignment, or how “perpetual” can mean one thing to you and something else to your client. Every business is different, and you don’t want small mistakes costing you later in your licensing contracts for designers.

So think of this as handy info to get you started — but not legal advice. Before you send off that next licensing agreement or click “accept” on a new deal, always get proper legal guidance to make sure it fits your unique website, your creative goals, and your risk profile.

If you’re not sure where to start, or you find yourself staring at a licensing request not quite knowing what it should include — don’t panic! That’s what lawyers like me are here for.

Having worked as a lawyer with lots of creative businesses (for over 35 years now), my tagline really says it all — TURNING LEGALESE INTO LEGAL EASE®. I make the law clear, practical, and usable for artists and designers — no matter your specialty. Legalese is lawyer‑speak, often confusing and wordy; legal ease means making those rules and contracts straightforward so you actually know what you’re signing and what your rights are.

We once worked with a designer who licensed a pattern for use on t‑shirts, but because the licence didn’t mention international use, the design showed up on t‑shirts in stores overseas with no extra payment to her.

If you need legal advice on licences, we negotiate them and review them — and we can make one for you that you can use day to day. Call us and we’ll help you keep the focus on what matters: making your beautiful work shine, safely and profitably.

Are Your Pattern Licensing Deals as Clear as They Should Be?

If you’re unsure about your next licensing move, reach out — clarity now is worth its weight in gold later!

For design‑savvy, practical legal support, Sharon Givoni Consulting is here to help. Whether you’re launching new prints, negotiating deals, or just want to make sure your creative business is legally watertight, get in touch for friendly, plain‑English advice tailored to the design world.

Contact Sharon Givoni at:
Email: sharon@sharongivoni.com.au

Mobile: 0410 557 907
Website: www.sharongivoni.com.au

With years of experience helping designers, artists, and creative businesses, you’ll get legal advice that’s commercially smart — so you can focus on growing your brand with confidence.

Sharon Givoni

ENTER COUPON AT CHECKOUT:

BLACKFRIDAY25