---
title: Copyright transfer vs. licensing – learn the difference
description: On Useme, you can transfer your copyright or grant a license automatically – as a part of the invoicing process. It happens online and is legally binding based on our Terms and Conditions.
---

[Skip to content](https://help.useme.com/en/copyright-transfer-and-licensing#main-content)

- [English](https://help.useme.com/en/copyright-transfer-and-licensing)
- [Polski](https://help.useme.com/na-czym-polega-przekazanie-praw-autorskich-i-udzielenie-licencji)

English

Show submenu for translations

![](https://help.useme.com/hs-fs/hubfs/useme-logo%20do%20HC%20145.png?width=100&height=75&name=useme-logo%20do%20HC%20145.png)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- - [English](https://help.useme.com/en/copyright-transfer-and-licensing)
    - [Polski](https://help.useme.com/na-czym-polega-przekazanie-praw-autorskich-i-udzielenie-licencji)

  English
  
  Show submenu for translations

 How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Help Center](https://help.useme.com/en?hsLang=en)
2. [Freelancer](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en)
3. [Licence and copyright](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#licence-and-copyright)

# Copyright transfer vs. licensing – learn the difference

[What is copyright?](https://help.useme.com/en/copyright-transfer-and-licensing#copyright)[Copyright transfer vs. licensing](https://help.useme.com/en/copyright-transfer-and-licensing#transfer-vs-license)[Frequently asked questions](https://help.useme.com/en/copyright-transfer-and-licensing#faq)[Note for Polish tax residents](https://help.useme.com/en/copyright-transfer-and-licensing#poland)

On Useme, you can transfer your copyright or grant a license automatically – as a part of the invoicing process. It happens online and is legally binding based on our [Terms and Conditions](https://help.useme.com/en/useme-terms-and-conditions?hsLang=en).

You and your client don’t need to print, scan, or sign any documents. Just tick one of these three options:

- transfer the copyright for your work to your client,
- grant your client a license to use your work,
- neither of these.

![](https://help.useme.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Aug-28-2026-10-22-07-8196-AM.png?width=670&height=293&name=undefined-Aug-28-2026-10-22-07-8196-AM.png)Screenshot from the [*Invoice a client*](https://useme.com/en/invoice/settle-a-deal/) form.

Your choice affects how your client can use your work – we explain it below.

### What is copyright?

Copyright protects your right to share, use, and earn money from work that’s **creative, original, and individual** – such as your text, graphic, code, photo, song, video, or artwork.

There are two types of copyright: moral rights and economic rights. When we say “copyright transfer” we mean only the economic rights transfer, because the moral rights aren’t transferable.

### Copyright transfer vs. licensing

|  | **YOU TRANSFER THE COPYRIGHT TO YOUR CLIENT** | **YOU GRANT YOUR CLIENT A LICENSE** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **What it means** | You give up your economic rights to the work completely and permanently, transferring them to your client. | You let your client use the work, but you keep your economic rights. |
| **When to choose this option** | When you create something unique and custom-made that you won't sell again, such as a logo, original website design, custom video. | When you create something you want to sell to multiple clients, such as an app templates, code snippets, illustrations. |
| **Who can profit from the work** | The right to use and resell the work transfers entirely to your client. | You keep the right to reuse the work, including modifying it or selling it to someone else. |
| **For how long** | Permanently. | 15 years. After that, your client loses the right to use your work. |
| **Documents (generated automatically)** | After the client pays, we automatically generate a copyright assignment protocol for you and your client within 7 business days. | After the client pays, we automatically generate a license confirmation document for you and your client right away. |

### Frequently asked questions

#### What if I changed my mind about transferring copyrights / licensing?

First, check if you can [edit the deal yourself](https://help.useme.com/en/how-to-cancel-or-edit-a-deal?hsLang=en#how-to-edit). If not, [email us](https://useme.com/en/contact/#contact-form) from the address you use to log in to Useme. **We can make changes before your client pays.** Include the deal number in your message.

#### Where can I find my copyright or license documents?

You'll find them in your Useme account: [go to *Deals*](https://useme.com/en/deals/my/all/) \> open the relevant agreement \> check the *Documents* section. We also email them to you and your client.

#### I can’t access the license or copyright transfer document

Not every type of work qualifies for copyright transfer or granting a license. If you select copyright transfer or a license for this type of work, we won't be able to apply it. We'll let you know if that happens.

### Note for Polish tax residents

In some industries in Poland, a license or copyright transfer lets you [apply a 50% tax-deductible cost](https://help.useme.com/do-jakich-prac-mozna-zastosowac-wyzsze-koszty-uzyskania-przychodu-kup-50?hsLang=en). This means your income tax is calculated on a lower amount, so you pay less.

 **Got a question?** [Email us](https://useme.com/pl/contact/#contact-form) – use the address you log in to Useme with. We're happy to help! 

- [Freelancer](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting started](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [My account](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#my-account)
    - [Useme Jobs](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#useme-jobs)
    - [Deals with clients](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#deals-with-clients)
    - [Deposit requests and invoices](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#deposit-requests-and-invoices)
    - [Work files](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#work-files)
    - [Licence and copyright](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#licence-and-copyright)
    - [Payments and payout methods](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#payments-and-payout-methods)
    - [Taxes](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#taxes)
    - [Useme Club](https://help.useme.com/en/freelancer?hsLang=en#useme-club)
- [Employer](https://help.useme.com/en/employer?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting started](https://help.useme.com/en/employer?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [My account](https://help.useme.com/en/employer?hsLang=en#my-account)
    - [Useme Jobs](https://help.useme.com/en/employer?hsLang=en#useme-jobs)
    - [Deals with freelancers](https://help.useme.com/en/employer?hsLang=en#deals-with-freelancers)
    - [Invoices and payments](https://help.useme.com/en/employer?hsLang=en#invoices-and-payments)
- [General](https://help.useme.com/en/general?hsLang=en)
- [Terms and conditions & Privacy Policy](https://help.useme.com/en/terms-and-conditions-privacy-policy?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [General Information](https://help.useme.com/en/terms-and-conditions-privacy-policy?hsLang=en#general-information)
    - [Useme Plus](https://help.useme.com/en/terms-and-conditions-privacy-policy?hsLang=en#useme-plus)
    - [Useme Comfort](https://help.useme.com/en/terms-and-conditions-privacy-policy?hsLang=en#useme-comfort)
    - [Useme Club](https://help.useme.com/en/terms-and-conditions-privacy-policy?hsLang=en#useme-club)
    - [Policies](https://help.useme.com/en/terms-and-conditions-privacy-policy?hsLang=en#policies)
    - [Archived documents](https://help.useme.com/en/terms-and-conditions-privacy-policy?hsLang=en#archived-documents)

[![useme-dark](https://help.useme.com/hs-fs/hubfs/useme-dark.png?width=100&height=40&name=useme-dark.png "useme-dark")](https://useme.com)

[Useme](https://useme.com/) | Pomoc

Copyright © 2014-2025 Useme