You are prohibited from using anything generated by Runway, including AI outputs, to build or improve a competing AI product or service.
This analysis describes what Runway'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 clause establishes a use restriction on Service outputs that extends beyond typical content creation to encompass derivative commercial activities. The provision operationalizes a competitive use limitation by contractually binding users against leveraging generated outputs for competing AI or creative tools development.
Interpretive note: The phrase 'directly or indirectly' creates broad interpretive scope, and the boundary between legitimate multi-tool creative workflows and prohibited competitive use is not clearly defined in the document.
If you are a developer or business, you cannot use Runway's AI-generated outputs to train, develop, or improve any product or service that competes with Runway, which is a significant restriction on commercial use of outputs.
How other platforms handle this
engage in any of the foregoing in connection with the use, creation, development, modification, prompting, fine-tuning, training, testing, benchmarking or validation of any machine learning tool, model, system, algorithm, product or other technology.
You agree not to post, upload, publish, submit or transmit any content that: (i) infringes, misappropriates or violates a third party's patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, moral rights or other intellectual property rights, or rights of publicity or privacy; (ii) violates, or encourages any ...
You may not use our Services for any illegal purpose or in violation of any laws or regulations. You may not use the Services to send money to sanctioned countries or individuals on government watchlists. You may not use the Services for gambling, illegal drugs, weapons, or any other prohibited acti...
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"You shall not (and shall not permit any third party to) either (a) take any action or (b) Make Available any Content on or through the Services that: [...] (viii) directly or indirectly uses the Services (including, but not limited to, Outputs) to create, train, develop, or improve similar or competitive products or services.— Excerpt from Runway's Runway Terms of Service
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Competitive use restrictions in platform ToS agreements are common but may interact with competition law in certain jurisdictions. In the EU, restrictions that prevent competitors from accessing platform outputs may raise concerns under competition law frameworks, particularly where a platform holds significant market power. The FTC may assess such restrictions under its mandate to prevent unfair methods of competition. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The prohibition is broadly drafted to cover both direct and indirect competitive use, which creates ambiguity for users who are active in the AI industry and may use multiple tools. The restriction extends to third parties acting through the user, creating potential liability for organizations whose contractors or downstream partners use Runway outputs in competitive development. JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU competition law may limit the enforceability of broad competitive use restrictions, particularly if Runway occupies a dominant market position in relevant AI product categories. The breadth of the restriction, covering indirect use, creates interpretive uncertainty in jurisdictions that strictly construe restraints on trade. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: AI and technology companies using Runway as part of their creative or development toolset should assess whether their product roadmap could be characterized as competitive with Runway under this clause. Vendor assessments should flag this restriction for legal review before deploying Runway in contexts where outputs might inform competing product development. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Developers and enterprises in the AI space should document their intended use cases for Runway outputs to demonstrate non-competitive use. Legal teams should assess whether specific planned uses fall within the scope of this restriction and seek clarification from Runway if the use case is ambiguous.
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This clause establishes a use restriction on Service outputs that extends beyond typical content creation to encompass derivative commercial activities. The provision operationalizes a competitive use limitation by contractually binding users against leveraging generated outputs for competing AI or creative tools development.
If you are a developer or business, you cannot use Runway's AI-generated outputs to train, develop, or improve any product or service that competes with Runway, which is a significant restriction on commercial use of outputs.
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