Template licensing explained: personal vs commercial
A standard commercial license covers one live end-product, including client work. You need an extended license only when the template itself is part of a product you sell.
License confusion causes most template disputes — and almost all of it is avoidable. The rules look intimidating but come down to two questions. Answer those and you will know exactly what you are allowed to do.
Here is licensing in plain language, without the legalese.
What a standard commercial license allows
A commercial license typically lets you build for yourself or a paying client, modify the files freely, and ship a finished site as one live end-product. It is the license most people need for most projects, including client work.
| You can | You cannot |
|---|---|
| Build one live site | Resell the raw files |
| Use it for a client | List it on another marketplace |
| Modify everything | Share it as a free download |
| Ship a finished product | Reuse one license across many sites |
When you need an extended license
If you are building a SaaS starter kit, a paid theme, or anything where your buyers receive the template as a deliverable, that is an extended-license scenario — typically one per product you sell. The line is simple: are people paying you, in effect, for the template itself?
Most projects are one end-product and need only a standard license.
The rules in brief
- ✓One live end-product is standard commercial use.
- ✓Client work is included in a standard license.
- ✓Redistributing raw files is never allowed.
- ✓Selling the template as a product needs an extended license.
- ✓When unsure, read the specific terms or ask the seller.