Overview
Summer’s Art Asset System provides clear licensing options to help creators share their work while protecting their rights, and to help developers understand how they can use community assets in their projects.License Types
Free License
Perfect for: Open-source projects, learning, experimentation ✅ You can:- Use in personal projects
- Use in commercial games
- Modify and adapt the asset
- Redistribute modified versions
- Use without attribution
- Claim original ownership
- Sell the unmodified asset as your own
Attribution License
Perfect for: Supporting creators while using their work ✅ You can:- Use in personal projects
- Use in commercial games
- Modify and adapt the asset
- Redistribute modified versions
- Credit the original creator
- Include attribution in your game credits
- Maintain attribution in derivative works
- Use without proper attribution
- Claim original ownership
Commercial License
Perfect for: Professional game development ✅ You can:- Use in commercial games and products
- Modify and adapt for commercial use
- Include in paid games and applications
- May require attribution (check specific terms)
- Usually restricted to commercial use only
- Contact creator for personal/educational use
Contact License
Perfect for: Custom licensing arrangements ❌ Requires:- Direct contact with the creator before use
- Negotiated terms for each use case
- Custom licensing agreement
- High-value commercial projects
- Exclusive usage rights
- Custom modifications or adaptations
Choosing the Right License for Your Assets
As a Creator
When uploading your assets, consider: Free License - Choose when you want:- Maximum adoption and usage
- To contribute to the open-source community
- To build your reputation and portfolio
- No ongoing maintenance or attribution tracking
- Credit for your work
- To track how your assets are being used
- To build recognition while sharing freely
- A balance between openness and recognition
- To monetize your creative work
- To restrict usage to serious commercial projects
- To maintain more control over usage
- Professional licensing arrangements
- Full control over each usage
- Custom terms for different use cases
- To negotiate payment or revenue sharing
- Exclusive licensing opportunities
Using Licensed Assets
Attribution Requirements
When using Attribution Licensed assets, include credits in: In-Game CreditsBest Practices for Attribution
Be Specific- Include the exact asset name
- Mention the creator’s Summer username
- Note that it came from Summer Art Gallery
- Place attributions where players can easily find them
- Include in main game credits, not just documentation
- Consider in-game attribution for heavily featured assets
- Save license information when downloading
- Track which assets require attribution
- Update credits if you modify or remove assets
License Compliance
Before Using an Asset
1
Read the License
Carefully review the license terms on the asset page
2
Check Compatibility
Ensure the license works with your project type (personal/commercial)
3
Plan Attribution
If attribution is required, plan how you’ll credit the creator
4
Save Documentation
Keep records of what you’ve downloaded and under what license
Common Compliance Mistakes
❌ Using Commercial-Only assets in personal projects- Always check if commercial licenses allow personal use
- Set up your credits system early in development
- Even free licenses have terms about ownership and redistribution
- Track what you’ve used to ensure compliance at release
Licensing for Teams
Team Projects
When working in teams, ensure:- All team members understand licensing requirements
- Someone is responsible for tracking asset licenses
- Credits and attribution are consistently managed
- License compliance is checked before release
Client Work
For client projects:- Verify that licenses allow commercial use by third parties
- Transfer appropriate usage rights to clients
- Document all asset licenses in project handover
- Consider client’s ongoing licensing obligations
Dispute Resolution
If You Think Your Rights Were Violated
- Contact the User: Try direct communication first
- Document the Violation: Screenshots, links, evidence
- Report to Summer: Use the report system on the platform
- Legal Action: For serious cases, consult legal counsel
If Someone Claims You Violated Their Rights
- Review Your Usage: Check the license terms you agreed to
- Communicate Openly: Respond to concerns promptly
- Make Corrections: Fix attribution or usage if needed
- Seek Mediation: Use Summer’s dispute resolution if available
International Considerations
Copyright Laws
- Asset licenses operate under copyright law
- Different countries have different copyright terms
- Summer’s licenses are designed to work internationally
- When in doubt, consult local legal experts
Commercial Use Across Borders
- Commercial licenses generally work internationally
- Some creators may restrict usage by geographic region
- Check for any territorial restrictions in license terms
- Consider local business licensing requirements
Future License Features
Coming Soon
- Revenue Sharing: Automatic percentage sharing for commercial licenses
- Usage Analytics: See how your licensed assets are being used
- License Templates: Standardized license options for creators
- Bulk Licensing: License entire collections with single agreements
Getting Help
License Questions
- Asset Page: Check the detailed license information on each asset
- Creator Contact: Message creators directly for clarification
- Community Forums: Ask the Summer community for advice
- Support Team: Contact Summer support for platform-specific questions
Legal Advice
Summer provides licensing tools but cannot provide legal advice. For complex licensing situations or legal concerns, consult with qualified legal professionals.