What should I ask about who made the files a digital product shop sells?

Start with a simple list. Ask for every product in the shop, next to the name of whoever made it: the owner, a freelancer, a past partner, or a stock source. The shop’s best sellers matter most, so go through those first and ask how each one came to exist. Ask the seller to say how each name was found, and keep the answers in one file you can return to later.

For files made by the owner, ask whether any were built on fonts, images, templates or other material the owner only licensed. A licence for personal use is very different from one that lets the shop resell the result. Ask to see the original licence terms, not a summary of them. Also ask whether any maker has since left on poor terms. A maker who feels unpaid or uncredited can complicate things long after the sale closes.

For files made by someone else, ask for the signed agreement, the invoices and any messages that set out who owns the finished work. If there is nothing in writing, say so plainly in your notes and put it to your lawyer before going further. Ask, too, whether any maker still sells similar files elsewhere. Finally, ask about complaints. Has anyone ever said a file copied their work? Did the shop remove anything because of it? The answers show how carefully the seller has handled this over time.

Key takeaways

• Get a list of every product matched to the person who made it.
• Ask for signed agreements and licence terms, not verbal assurances.
• Ask about past copying complaints and any files taken down.