Screen Beans Licensing

As with other software products, when you buy a Screen Beans product you are actually buying a license to use it.  You don't actually own the art, which is copyrighted.  The license you get with the product is a Single User License.  It allows you to use the art in almost any non-commercial situation, but you should read the license to make sure your use is permitted.  If not, you may need to buy an Extended Use License. 

Single User License Agreement

This is the license you get when you buy a Screen Beans product.  It is put into effect by your installing or using the art.  Prices vary with the specific product purchased.  Unlike licenses for software, our license is simple.  You should read it because it does place some conditions on your use of the art, for example a requirement that you include a copyright notice in some situations.

License Text

Site License

Note that for two users, it is may be more economical to purchase two products than a single product plus the site license.  As the number of users increases, however, the site license savings are dramatic.

Extended Use License

Extended Use allows you to incorporate Screen Beans in a commercial or for-sale project.  The extended use license is offered at extra cost, depending on the project.  An extended use license is an agreement that is signed by both A Bit Better Corporation and the licensee.

Sample License Text

Pricing

In addition to the per-image pricing, there is a handling charge of $25 for any Extended Use license.

Frequently Asked Licensing Questions

Q. I'm creating a presentation and I want to distribute copies of it to the audience on CD. OK?

A.  The license restricts you from re-distributing copies of the original art.  If you paste images into a PowerPoint presentation and then distribute that presentation electronically, you are redistributing the original art--embedded in the presentation.

To get around this restriction, you need to convert the art to a different format (like GIF) before putting in the presentation.  An even better option is to distribute the presentation as a .PDF file instead of a PowerPoint file.  That way you can guarantee its integrity an immutability.

Q.  Can I use a Screen Bean image as part of my company's logo?

A.  A logo is a form of trademark.  It identifies your company by a graphic image.  Screen Beans are already a registered trademark of A Bit Better Corporation, so you can't use them in your logo.  You really should own the art in your logo anyway.  Its the only way you can guard against future licensing problems and misrepresentations of your company.

That said, a few very small businesses have used Screen Beans on their stationery or business cards in an informal way--more as illustrative art than a logo.  This is okay, but the requirement for a copyright notice can make the usage awkward.

(When Screen Beans images are used in an item with a distribution exceeding 50, the item must contain a copyright notice.  See license text.) 

Q. I want to make some T-shirts for my company with a Screen Bean image on them.  Is this okay?

A.  You certainly may incorporate a clip art image in a T-shirt or any other kind of promotional item, as long as the image is one component of an overall graphic design, and is not either a stand-alone feature of that product or a design capitalizing on the promotional identity of Screen Beans.  If you're really not sure, send us your idea and we'll let you know.  Remember that these have to be give-aways, and not shirts you're going to sell.  (To sell them, you'd need an Extended Use License.)

If you're making more than 50, don't forget the copyright notice.

Q. I'm an independent graphic artist, and I'd like to use Screen Beans in some training materials I'm creating for a corporate client.  Is this okay?

A. You need to purchase one additional copy of the Screen Beans for them.

Q. I think Screen Beans are great!  I'd like to make up a booklet of Screen Bean images to give to my friends.  Is this okay?

A. We like your enthusiasm, but no, this is not okay.  Screen Beans can't be the main feature of what you're doing.  Think of it this way: if the value of your book would be only marginally changed by removal of all of the Screen Beans, then you're okay.  But, if the Screen Beans are the main feature, you're in trouble -- this type of use is not permitted under any type of license.

Q. I'm working on a self-running promotional CD for our company, and I'd like to illustrate it with some Screen Beans. Is this okay?

A. Absolutely.  As long as you're not selling this CD, and the CD doesn't contain Screen Bean images extractable in their original form, you're fine.  The reason they can't be in original form is that you would be redistributing the art--not permitted. 

Q. Can I use some Screen Bean images on my web site?

A. You bet!  All web sites have a "distribution" of more than fifty people, though, so you need the copyright notice.

Q. I'm keeping a web site of cool free clip art.  Can I put your downloadable "freebies" on my site?

A. No.  You may put a link to our site, but you are not allowed to distribute Screen Bean images.