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By submitting any photo, video, or comment to gm.com, users grant GM a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, create derivative works from, display, and perform that content across any media format and channel, including for GM's broader business and promotional purposes.
This analysis describes what General Motors's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes a broad license that extends beyond operating the Web site to encompass GM's general business, promotional activity, and redistribution through any media channel. The license is sublicensable and transferable, meaning GM may authorize third parties to exercise these rights without further user consent.
The agreement requires users to grant GM rights over submitted content that extend to derivative works and redistribution through any media format, not limited to display on gm.com. Users retain ownership of their content but cannot restrict how GM uses it within the scope of this license.
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"by submitting User Submissions to the Web site, you hereby grant GM a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the User Submissions in connection with the Web site and GM's (and its successors' and affiliates') business, including without limitation for promoting and redistributing part or all of the Website (and derivative works thereof) in any media formats and through any media channels.Excerpt from General Motors's GM Terms of Use
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages U.S. copyright law, as it constitutes a contractual grant of a copyright license. The FTC Act may be relevant if GM uses user-submitted content in commercial advertising without adequate disclosure of the source or connection, particularly given Section 6B's requirement that users disclose any relationship with GM. No GDPR or CCPA-specific consent framework is referenced for this license, which may create tension with EU and California data subject rights frameworks if user-submitted content contains personal data. 2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The license scope is broad and includes sublicensable and transferable rights across any media channel, but this structure is observed across many user-generated content platforms. The primary exposure arises from the sublicensable and transferable nature of the grant, which permits downstream use by third parties. Compliance teams should confirm that downstream sublicensees are subject to appropriate use restrictions. 3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU and UK users may have rights under applicable data protection law if submitted content constitutes personal data, potentially limiting the enforceability of this license in those jurisdictions to the extent it conflicts with data subject rights. California residents may have CCPA-related considerations depending on whether submitted content constitutes personal information. 4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: The sublicensable and transferable nature of this license means third-party vendors or successors may exercise these rights. Procurement and vendor management teams should confirm whether sublicensee use is bounded by any operational restrictions not stated in the public-facing terms. 5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams should assess whether the license grant is accompanied by adequate informed consent mechanisms, particularly for jurisdictions requiring explicit consent for commercial use of personal content. A review of how GM operationally exercises these rights, including any sublicensing to advertising or media partners, would inform whether additional disclosure obligations apply.
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This provision establishes a broad license that extends beyond operating the Web site to encompass GM's general business, promotional activity, and redistribution through any media channel. The license is sublicensable and transferable, meaning GM may authorize third parties to exercise these rights without further user consent.
The agreement requires users to grant GM rights over submitted content that extend to derivative works and redistribution through any media format, not limited to display on gm.com. Users retain ownership of their content but cannot restrict how GM uses it within the scope of this license.
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