Acceptable Use Policy

Use IconShelfResponsibly

Guidelines for using our platform and downloading icons ethically and legally.

Allowed Uses

You are permitted to:

Download and use icons for personal projects
Use icons in commercial applications and websites
Modify and customize icons for your specific needs
Include icons in products you distribute or sell
Use icons in both web and mobile applications
Share projects containing icons (respecting icon licenses)
Adapt icons with proper attribution where required

✓ The only rule: Follow the specific license of each icon (MIT, Apache, CC0, etc.)

Prohibited Uses

You are NOT permitted to:

Violate any icon's original license terms
Claim ownership of icons you didn't create
Republish icons as a standalone icon collection or library
Use icons to create competing icon services or libraries
Remove or obscure attribution, licensing, or copyright notices
Use icons in anything illegal, harmful, or deceptive
Use icons for phishing, spam, malware, or harassment
Bulk download icons for resale without modification
Violate intellectual property or other legal rights

✗ Violations: Account suspension, content removal, and legal action may result

License Compliance

Each icon on IconShelf has its own license. You MUST comply with it:

MIT License

✓ Commercial use allowed
✓ Modification allowed
✓ Attribution required (recommended)

Apache 2.0

✓ Commercial use allowed
✓ Modification allowed
✓ License copy must be included

CC0 (Public Domain)

✓ Completely free to use
✓ No attribution required
✓ Any modifications allowed

Custom Licenses

✓ See icon details page
✓ Always check before use
✓ Different rules may apply

Always check: Click on any icon to see its specific license and requirements before using it in your project.

Attribution Requirements

Some licenses require attribution. Here's how to do it properly:

In Code:

<!-- Icon from Material Design Icons (Apache 2.0) -->
<svg>...</svg>

In UI/Footer:

Icons by [Collection Name] • License: [License Type] • [Link if applicable]

For Commercial Work:

Include attribution in credits/about section or footer of your product

Pro Tip: Each icon page shows exactly how to attribute it. Copy and paste!

Best Practices

Read licenses carefully: Before using any icon, check its specific license requirements
Document your sources: Keep records of which icons you used and where they came from
Provide attribution: Even if not required, crediting creators builds trust and respect
Check for updates: Licenses may change; stay informed about icon collections you use
Test before deploying: Ensure icons render correctly and respect all license terms in your final product
Be transparent: Tell your users where your icons come from (in about/credits section)
Respect copyright: Never claim ownership of icons created by others

Enforcement

Violations of this policy may result in:

Content removal from your projects
Restriction of download privileges
Temporary or permanent account suspension
Legal action for severe violations
Cooperation with copyright holders investigating abuse

Questions or concerns?

IconShelf