This analysis describes what Substack'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
The retention of ownership means users do not transfer title to their content to Substack by uploading it, preserving their ability to use, license, or remove that content outside the platform.
Interpretive note: The clause applies only to 'original content'; non-original content is not addressed by this excerpt.
Users retain ownership of their original content provided to Substack, along with the copyright and intellectual property protections that attach to it.
How other platforms handle this
By uploading Your Content, you represent and warrant to us that you have all necessary rights and licenses to do so and automatically grant us a license to use Your Content as provided under Section 7 below.
The Microsoft Services Agreement says "Your Content remains Your Content"...We don't own the original stuff that you create.
Except for the license you grant below, you retain all rights in and to your Marketing Content, as between you and ActiveCampaign.
"Any original content you post, upload, share, store, or otherwise provide to Substack remains yours and is protected by copyright and any other applicable intellectual property laws.Excerpt from Substack's Terms of Use
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The retention of ownership means users do not transfer title to their content to Substack by uploading it, preserving their ability to use, license, or remove that content outside the platform.
Users retain ownership of their original content provided to Substack, along with the copyright and intellectual property protections that attach to it.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 256 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Substack.