Understanding Product Licenses: Personal vs Commercial vs Extended
# Understanding Product Licenses
Choosing the right license is crucial for legal compliance and getting value from your purchase. Let's break down each type.
## Why Licenses Matter
Digital products are intellectual property. A license grants you specific rights to use that property. Using a product outside its license terms can result in:
- Legal liability
- License revocation
- Financial penalties
## License Types Explained
### Personal License
**What it allows:**
- Use in personal, non-commercial projects
- Learning and experimentation
- Portfolio pieces (non-profit)
**What it doesn't allow:**
- Client work
- Products you sell
- Commercial websites or apps
- Redistribution
**Best for:**
- Students
- Hobbyists
- Personal portfolios
**Typical price:** $19-49
### Commercial License
**What it allows:**
- Everything in Personal, plus:
- Client projects
- Commercial websites
- Products that generate revenue
- Use in multiple projects
**What it doesn't allow:**
- Reselling the product itself
- Including in products for resale
- SaaS applications (usually)
- Redistribution
**Best for:**
- Freelancers
- Agencies
- Business websites
- E-commerce sites
**Typical price:** $79-199
### Extended License
**What it allows:**
- Everything in Commercial, plus:
- SaaS applications
- Products for resale
- Unlimited end users
- Redistribution as part of a larger product
**What it doesn't allow:**
- Selling the product as-is (without modification)
- Claiming authorship
**Best for:**
- SaaS businesses
- Product developers
- Template marketplaces
- Large enterprises
**Typical price:** $299-999
## Quick Comparison
| Use Case | Personal | Commercial | Extended |
|----------|----------|------------|----------|
| Learning/Portfolio | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Client Project | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Commercial Website | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SaaS Application | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Resell in Product | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
## Common Scenarios
### "I'm building a website for a client"
→ **Commercial License**
### "I'm learning Django and want to practice"
→ **Personal License**
### "I'm building a SaaS product"
→ **Extended License**
### "I want to include this in a template I sell"
→ **Extended License**
### "It's for my company's internal tool"
→ **Commercial License**
## License FAQs
### Can I upgrade my license later?
Yes! Most sellers offer upgrade pricing. Contact support with your original order.
### Does each team member need a license?
For Commercial licenses, typically one license covers one project regardless of team size. Check specific product terms.
### What if I'm not sure which I need?
When in doubt, go with Commercial. It covers most business uses and protects you legally.
### Are licenses perpetual?
Most licenses on DjangoZen are perpetual—you own the rights forever. Some may have different terms, so always check.
### What about updates?
Most products include lifetime updates. If not, it will be clearly stated.
## Red Flags to Watch
Be cautious of:
- 🚩 No clear license terms
- 🚩 "Unlimited" claims without specifics
- 🚩 Price too good to be true
- 🚩 No support or contact information
## Protecting Yourself
1. **Read the full license** before purchasing
2. **Keep your receipt** and license key
3. **Don't share licenses** with others
4. **Contact the seller** if anything is unclear
## Our License Guarantee
All products on DjangoZen have clear license terms. If you ever have questions about usage rights, our support team is here to help.
Browse our [licensed products](/products/) with confidence!