Do T-Shirt Design Websites Like TeeSpring, RedBubble, and Threadless Own the Rights to My Designs?

In the world of custom T-shirt design, platforms like TeeSpring (now RedBubble), RedBubble, and Threadless are popular among many creatives. When you upload your designs to these websites, you might wonder: Do they own the rights to your designs? Or do you retain full ownership and control?

Ownership and Licensing

Typically, when you upload your designs to a T-shirt platform, you grant the website a license to use, reproduce, and sell your designs. However, you retain the copyright to your original work. Here's a detailed breakdown of the rights involved:

Ownership

You usually keep the copyright to your designs, making you the owner of the original work. You can legally use and manipulate your designs as you wish, outside of the platform's usage.

Licensing

The platform grants a non-exclusive, often worldwide license to their users to print and sell your designs. This license allows them to use your designs for promotional purposes, such as on their website and marketing materials, to promote and sell your T-shirts.

Terms of Service

Each platform has unique terms of service that outline the specifics of ownership and licensing. It's essential to read these terms carefully to understand the exact rights you are granting and any potential limitations. Key points to look out for include:

Revenue-sharing models: The platform may offer a percentage of sales from your designs. Removal of designs: If you remove your designs from the platform, the license typically ends, and the platform can no longer use your designs. Contractual agreements: Always check for any exclusive agreements that could grant the website rights to your designs.

Common Practices Across Design Platforms

Most on-demand print (POD) platforms do not own the rights to the designs they market. Instead, they pay you a royalty each time a T-shirt is printed and sold. You keep all the rights to your original designs. Here are some general practices:

Revenue-Sharing

You retain all rights to your designs. You earn a percentage of the revenue from each sale made through the platform.

No Exclusivity

Most platforms do not require exclusivity. You can license your designs to multiple platforms, not just one. This allows you to maximize your earnings by placing your designs on various marketplaces.

Promotional Use

Platforms like RedBubble and Threadless are allowed to use your designs for promotional purposes to sell your designs. However, more curated sites like Threadless may have special situations where they or a third party can own the designs. These situations would be clearly outlined in a contract or terms of use agreement. Always read these carefully.

Exclusive Rights: Special Cases

Sometimes, an exclusive agreement can grant the website the rights to your designs. However, this is less common in the industry. For example, at Shirt.Woot, if you win their shirt contest or enter into an exclusive contract with the art directors, the platform may have exclusive rights to print and sell your design. Nevertheless, as the artist, you retain ownership and must be compensated for each sale under contract.

In conclusion, while T-shirt design platforms do grant a license to use your designs, you typically retain the full copyright and ownership of your original work. It's crucial to read the terms of service and contracts carefully to ensure you understand the rights you are granting and any potential limitations.