Substack · Substack Terms of Use · View original document ↗

Creator Content Ownership Retained by User

High severity High confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Common · 256 of 352 platforms
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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

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

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.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

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

Tinder Medium

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.

Stability AI Medium

As between you and Stability, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, you retain your ownership right in the Inputs that you submit.

Microsoft Medium

If you publish Your Content in areas of the Service where it is available broadly online without restrictions, Your Content may appear in demonstrations or materials that promote the Service.

See all platforms with this clause type →

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
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 Substack Terms of Use

Applicable regulations

DMCA
United States Federal

Provision details

Document information
Document
Substack Terms of Use
Entity
Substack
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 21, 2026
Last verified
May 21, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-029265
Document ID
CA-D-00177
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
d2d135642274ee5eac38277ac41a146ef9980ab32b5eaa9fe939658be5f65972
Analysis generated
May 21, 2026 01:31 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Substack
Document: Substack Terms of Use
Record ID: CA-P-029265
Captured: 2026-05-21 01:31:22 UTC
SHA-256: d2d135642274ee5e…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/substack/substack-terms-of-use/provision/CA-P-029265/creator-content-ownership-retained-by-user/
Accessed: July 12, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Substack's Creator Content Ownership Retained by User clause do?

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.

How does this clause affect you?

Users retain ownership of their original content provided to Substack, along with the copyright and intellectual property protections that attach to it.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 256 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Substack?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Substack.