Free models online are not free of rules. Before you print to sell, or ask someone to print for you, check the licence. It's one of the most common ways makers get into trouble.
Common licences in plain English
| Licence | Personal print | Sell prints | Remix |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC BY | Yes | Yes, with credit | Yes |
| CC BY-SA | Yes | Yes, with credit | Yes, under the same licence |
| CC BY-NC (and NC-SA) | Yes | No | Non-commercial only |
| CC BY-ND | Yes | Yes, with credit | No modified versions |
| Platform "standard" licences | Usually yes | Check the terms; often only with the designer's commercial permission | Check the terms |
Many designers sell commercial licences cheaply. When in doubt, ask them.
Characters and brands are a separate issue
Even if a model is uploaded under an open licence, the uploader can't give away rights they don't own. Film, game and toy characters and brand logos are protected by copyright and trademark. Selling prints of them can lead to takedowns or legal claims, whatever the model's licence says.
How we handle it at AU3D
- Products we sell are our own designs or models licensed for commercial use.
- For your personal prints, we check that the licence allows it.
- We don't print trademarked characters or logos for resale, and we'll suggest an original design instead.
This is general information, not legal advice. For anything high-stakes, talk to an IP lawyer.
Common questions
I bought a model. Can I sell prints?
Only if the licence you bought includes commercial rights. Many paid models are still personal-use only.
Is it OK if I change the model a bit?
Remixing doesn't remove the original licence. An NC model stays non-commercial after small edits.