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
Because the license is perpetual and irrevocable, users cannot later withdraw permission for Substack to use content they have already provided, even if they delete their account or leave the platform.
Interpretive note: This clause defines the character of the licenses granted but does not itself specify the scope of permitted uses; the scope is addressed in the related clause id 29269.
Users who grant Substack a license to their content cannot revoke that license, will receive no royalties, and the license applies globally without time limit.
How other platforms handle this
We hereby grant you a limited, revocable, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license under the rights licensable by us to use the services and use Content from our services solely for your personal use...
...you grant to users of your model a nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license to use, store, and create derivative works from your LoRA and its output.
We're happy for you to access our website and services...as long as you follow these terms of use and all of our other Terms of Service as they apply to you.
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"You agree that the licenses you grant are royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and worldwide.— Excerpt from Substack's Substack Terms of Use
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Because the license is perpetual and irrevocable, users cannot later withdraw permission for Substack to use content they have already provided, even if they delete their account or leave the platform.
Users who grant Substack a license to their content cannot revoke that license, will receive no royalties, and the license applies globally without time limit.
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.