Last Updated: December 28, 2025
These Author Terms govern the relationship between 3DMecWorks and users who upload, publish, and share CAD/CAM content on our platform.
1. Becoming an Author
1.1 Eligibility
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a verified 3DMecWorks account
- Must agree to these Author Terms and our Terms of Service
- Must provide accurate contact and payment information (if selling content)
1.2 Account Requirements
- Complete profile with professional information
- Valid email address for communications
- Payment account setup (Stripe or PayPal) for revenue sharing
- Compliance with all platform guidelines
2. Content Ownership and Rights
2.1 You Retain Ownership
You retain full ownership of all content you upload to 3DMecWorks. By publishing content, you do NOT transfer ownership to us.
2.2 License Grant to 3DMecWorks
By uploading content, you grant 3DMecWorks a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:
- Store and host your content on our servers
- Display your content to platform users
- Distribute your content to users who download it
- Create thumbnails, previews, and promotional materials
- Include your content in search results and recommendations
2.3 License Grant to Users
When users download your content, they receive a license to:
- Use the content for reference and learning purposes
- Modify and adapt the content for their projects
- Create derivative works based on your content
Important: Users are explicitly prohibited from using downloaded content directly in production without verification and recalculation. See our Terms of Service for details.
3. Author Responsibilities
3.1 Content Quality
As an author, you are responsible for:
- Accuracy: Ensuring technical accuracy of dimensions, calculations, and specifications
- Completeness: Providing complete assemblies, parts lists, and documentation
- File Quality: Uploading clean, error-free CAD/CAM files
- Compatibility: Ensuring files work in stated software versions
- Testing: Verifying files open and function correctly before upload
3.2 Intellectual Property Compliance
You represent and warrant that:
- You own all rights to the content you upload
- Your content is original or you have proper licenses
- Your content does not infringe on third-party copyrights, patents, or trademarks
- You have necessary permissions for any referenced designs
- Your content does not contain proprietary or confidential information
3.3 Safety and Legal Compliance
- Safety Warnings: Include appropriate safety warnings and disclaimers
- Legal Compliance: Ensure designs comply with applicable regulations
- Prohibited Designs: Do not upload designs for weapons, dangerous devices, or illegal items
- Professional Standards: Follow industry standards and best practices
4. Prohibited Content
4.1 You May NOT Upload:
- Copyrighted content without permission
- Content you do not own or have rights to
- Stolen or pirated CAD files
- Proprietary designs from employers or clients (without authorization)
- Malware-infected or corrupted files
- Weapons or dangerous device designs
- Counterfeit product designs
5. Liability and Indemnification
5.1 Author Liability
CRITICAL: You are fully liable for any damages, injuries, or losses resulting from the use of your uploaded content. Users download and use your content at their own risk, but you remain responsible for the accuracy and safety of your designs.
6. Revenue Sharing (For Paid Content)
6.1 Revenue Split
For premium/paid content:
- Author Share: 70% of net revenue (after payment processing fees)
- Platform Share: 30% of net revenue
- Payment Processing Fees: Deducted before revenue split (approximately 3-5%)
6.2 Payment Terms
- Payment Method: Stripe or PayPal only
- Payment Schedule: Monthly payments (minimum $50 threshold)
- Payment Timing: Processed within 15 days after month end
- Tax Responsibility: Authors responsible for all applicable taxes
7. Content Removal and Moderation
7.1 We Reserve the Right to Remove:
- Content that violates these terms
- Infringing or copyrighted material
- Low-quality or corrupted files
- Misleading or inaccurate content
- Dangerous or illegal designs
8. Contact for Authors
For author support, publisher inquiries, or questions:
