Questions about selling a commercial SketchUp extension with SCFLicense

AlePe

Hello everyone,

I am developing a commercial SketchUp extension and I am evaluating whether SketchUcation could be the right platform to sell and license it.

I have read some information about the SketchUcation ExtensionStore and the SCFLicense system, but I would like to clarify a few points before applying as a creator.

My questions are:

Can a new commercial extension submitted to SketchUcation use the SCFLicense system?
Is SCFLicense available to approved creators, or only to selected/internal developers?
Can the extension be distributed as a proprietary/commercial Ruby extension, without being open-source?
Does SCFLicense support a free trial period, for example 15 or 30 days?
Is it possible to offer a temporary license or subscription-like license, for example annual access or a license valid for a specific number of days?
Is it possible to manage paid major upgrades, for example users buying version 1.x and later paying for version 2.x?
Are plugin updates and hotfixes distributed through SketchUcation ExtensionStore / SketchUcation Tools?
Can the same extension also be sold outside SketchUcation, for example on the developer’s own website?
If external sales are allowed, can SCFLicense also be used for licenses sold outside SketchUcation, or only for purchases made through the SketchUcation store?
For creator payouts, is a VAT number / business tax ID required, or can individual creators apply as well?
Regarding VAT/sales tax for customers, does SketchUcation act as the merchant/seller of record, or is the creator responsible for handling taxes and invoicing?

I am based in Italy, so the VAT/tax part is especially important for me to understand before deciding whether to sell through SketchUcation or through my own website.

Thank you very much for any clarification.

Alessandro

Gábor

HI,

Thank you for being interested in our licensing system.

Can a new commercial extension submitted to SketchUcation use the SCFLicense system?

Yes

Is SCFLicense available to approved creators, or only to selected/internal developers?

You have to be approved as a developer and your application (extension) have to implement a few lines of code to use the licensing. For the technical details you can contact me by private chat or write to support@sketchucation.com.

Can the extension be distributed as a proprietary/commercial Ruby extension, without being open-source?

Yes, being open-source is not a requirement for the licensing.

Does SCFLicense support a free trial period, for example 15 or 30 days?

At the current sate of the licensing, you have to implement the trial period in your extension. As an alternative, you can create free trial license with limited validity.

Is it possible to offer a temporary license or subscription-like license, for example annual access or a license valid for a specific number of days?

There is an option to limit the license validity for a specific number of days.

Is it possible to manage paid major upgrades, for example users buying version 1.x and later paying for version 2.x?

With the current licensing system it takes purchasing a new license for the new version. For a discounted upgrade license the author needs to implement the upgrade logic (e.g: if original license is validated and discounted upgrade license is validated, then let the extension work)

Are plugin updates and hotfixes distributed through SketchUcation ExtensionStore / SketchUcation Tools?

You can publish the fixed or new versions at SketchUcation Extension Store.

Can the same extension also be sold outside SketchUcation, for example on the developer’s own website?

Yes, if you direct the buyer to the SketchUcation license purchase page. There are other alternatives used by some extension resellers, for those you need to contact support@sketchucation.com to arrange a custom agreement. It worth to note that either the end-user of the license or the distributor has to be a registered SketchUcation.com member.

If external sales are allowed, can SCFLicense also be used for licenses sold outside SketchUcation, or only for purchases made through the SketchUcation store?

For being able to sell outside of SketchUcation, using our licensing, you need to make a custom arrangement with us. Contact support@sketchucation.com.

For creator payouts, is a VAT number / business tax ID required, or can individual creators apply as well?

Regarding VAT/sales tax for customers, does SketchUcation act as the merchant/seller of record, or is the creator responsible for handling taxes and invoicing?

With questions about financial details please contact support@sketchucation.com.