3D Model Licenses Explained: What You Can and Cannot Do With a Purchased Asset
You Buy a License, Not the Model
When you purchase a 3D model, you almost never buy the model itself. You buy a license: permission to use the asset in specific ways. The creator keeps the copyright, and the license defines what you are allowed to do with their work.
Understanding this difference protects you from expensive problems later, like a game being pulled from a store or a client project that has to be redone.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Always read the specific license of each asset, and consult a lawyer for important commercial projects.
Key Terms to Know
- Royalty-free: you pay once and do not owe additional payments per copy sold or per view. It does not mean "free" or "no restrictions".
- Commercial use: using the asset in something that makes money, such as a game, an ad, a client render or a product.
- Editorial use only: the asset can only be used in news, education or commentary, not in commercial products. Common for models of real brands and vehicles.
- Redistribution: sharing the original files with others. Almost every paid license prohibits it.
- Derivative work: a new creation that includes or modifies the asset, like a game level or an animated film.
Standard vs Extended Licenses
Many marketplaces offer two tiers. On todo3ds, the seller chooses which license applies to each product:
Standard License
- Use the asset in a single personal or commercial project
- The asset can be part of a larger work, such as a game, film or render
- You cannot redistribute, resell or share the asset in its original or a substantially similar form
Extended License
- Use the asset in unlimited personal or commercial projects
- The asset can appear in products for resale, such as templates or games sold on app stores, as long as the asset itself is not the main product being sold
- Redistribution of the raw asset file is still prohibited
You can read the complete wording in our Terms of Service.
Creative Commons and Free Models
Free models are often published under Creative Commons licenses. The most common variants are:
- CC0: public domain dedication; use it for anything, no attribution needed.
- CC BY: use it for anything, including commercially, but you must credit the author.
- CC BY-SA: like CC BY, but derivative works must be shared under the same license.
- CC BY-NC: credit required and no commercial use.
- CC BY-ND: credit required and no modifications.
"Free to download" is not the same as "free to use commercially". Always check the exact variant.
Common Licensing Mistakes
Uploading purchased models to another marketplace Reselling or re-uploading an asset you bought, even modified, is a clear violation of almost every license.
Including raw files in open-source projects Putting a paid model in a public GitHub repository counts as redistribution, even if your code is free.
Using one standard license for several projects If you reuse the same asset in multiple client projects or games, you may need an extended license or one license per project.
Ignoring trademarks A license from the modeler does not grant rights to real brands. A model of a famous car, logo or character may still need permission from the trademark or IP owner for commercial use.
Forgetting the team Check whether the license covers only you or your whole team or studio, especially if several people will work with the asset.
A Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- Is commercial use allowed?
- How many projects does the license cover?
- Can the asset appear in a product that is sold, like a game or template?
- Is attribution required?
- Does the model depict a real brand, product or person?
- Do you need the license to cover a team or a client?
Licenses for Sellers
If you sell your own models, picking the right license is just as important. A clear license builds trust with buyers and protects your work. You keep all intellectual property rights; the license only defines how buyers can use your asset.
Want to start selling? Read our guide on how to sell 3D models online.