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Effective Date: 2026-05-20 Licensor: TSAI SHENG TSAI (individual, citizen of Taiwan) Product: VN Engine 2D — 2D Visual Novel + Minigame Engine ("the Software")
Please read this Agreement carefully before using the Software.
By opening, installing, copying, or using the Software, you accept all terms of this Agreement. If you disagree, immediately stop using and remove the Software from your device.
1. License Tiers and Scope
The Software offers three license tiers:
Tier Scope Unlock Method
Free Full editor, preview, learning use Default (free download)
Indie + HTML5 / Windows export, commercial release Indie DLC (Steam) or Indie license key (Paddle / website)
Pro + AI dialogue generation, vnctl CLI Agent Pro DLC (Steam) or Pro license key (Paddle / website)
License is granted in perpetuity (not subscription), but this Agreement governs use.
2. What You May Do
Free / Indie / Pro
Install the Software on up to 3 devices (Indie) or 5 devices (Pro) you personally or your company owns
Use the editor to create your own VN / minigame works
Share, exhibit your works on public networks / platforms
Indie / Pro only
Commercially release works you create with the Software (Steam, itch.io, your own website, etc.)
Retain 100% of sales revenue (we charge no royalty)
Freely modify and create derivative works
3. What You May NOT Do
❌ Decompile, reverse-engineer the Software or license system
❌ Remove, modify, or hide copyright notices, trademarks, branding within the Software
❌ Distribute Software binaries, license keys, or cracked versions without authorization
❌ Rent, lease, resell the Software to third parties (license keys are non-transferable)
❌ Remove preview watermark / commercially release works while on Free tier without upgrade
❌ Use for illegal, defamatory, or infringing purposes
4. License Key and Upgrade Terms ⭐ (Important)
4.1 License keys are non-transferable
License keys are bound to the purchaser (Email / Steam account). Transferring to others = loss of license + both parties may be blacklisted.
4.2 Indie → Pro Upgrade Red Line
Important: Upon upgrade to Pro, your original Indie license key will be disabled. Indie and Pro cannot be active simultaneously:
You will receive a new Pro license key
The original Indie key is immediately disabled and cannot be used on any device
The original Indie key's refund window has typically passed (Indie purchase + 30 days before upgrade is common); cannot be reverted to Indie active state
This design prevents license escalation (license abuse) vulnerabilities
Steam users: Upgrade via Steam Bundle "Complete the Set"; Steam automatically calculates the $40 difference. Both Indie DLC and Pro DLC entitlements coexist (Steam handles automatically — Indie DLC is not disabled, but editor tier takes max = Pro).
Paddle / website users: Upon upgrade, the old Indie key is permanently disabled, and a new Pro key is issued.
5. Third-Party License (Live2D Cubism SDK) ⭐ (Important)
The Software integrates Live2D Cubism SDK (owned by Live2D Inc.).
5.1 Your Obligations (VN Developer)
If your works created with the Software contain Live2D models or runtime Live2D features, and you commercially release such works, you must independently:
Read and comply with Live2D Cubism SDK License
Assess whether your annual revenue qualifies for Live2D's Free Indie License:
Annual revenue < ¥10M JPY (~USD 67k): Free Indie License OK
Annual revenue ≥ ¥10M JPY: Must purchase Live2D Cubism Pro License (paid directly to Live2D Inc.)
Display Live2D's trademark in your works' credits
Evaluate other Live2D terms (educational use, research use, etc.)
5.2 Our Disclaimer
We (VN Engine 2D publisher) are not responsible for whether you comply with Live2D SDK license terms.
If Live2D Inc. seeks license fees or legal action against your commercial use, you bear sole responsibility. The Software provides integration convenience only, not equivalent to obtaining Live2D license on your behalf.
6. Refund Policy
Refund rules detailed in Refund Policy:
Steam channel: Follows Steam standard refund policy (2-hour playtime + 14-day window, automatic)
Paddle channel: 14 days if license unactivated and no EXE export. Once activated or exported, considered "core functionality used"; refunds not accepted.
7. Software Updates
We may release updates (bug fixes / new features) periodically. Steam channel: automatic updates. Paddle channel: via editor's built-in update check.
For material feature changes: 30-day email notice. For license terms changes: see Section 14.
8. Intellectual Property
The Software (including but not limited to source code, UI design, icons, splash images, documentation) is owned by Licensor TSAI SHENG TSAI, protected by Taiwan and international copyright law.
Works you create with the Software: Copyright fully belongs to you; we claim no rights.
9. Prohibited Activities
You may not use the Software to create or distribute:
Realistic depictions of minors (real children) in sexual or sexualized content (fictional adult characters allowed but subject to Steam / each platform policy)
Non-consensual depictions of real persons (deepfakes, etc.)
Hate speech, incitement to violence, racist content
Content infringing third-party intellectual property
Violations may result in license revocation without refund.
10. Data and Privacy
See Privacy Policy.
Brief summary:
Content you create in the editor (scripts, dialogue, assets) stays entirely on your local device
AI dialogue generation uses BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) direct to your specified LLM; we never receive prompt content
We collect only the data necessary for license activation (email, device name, instance ID)
11. Disclaimer
The Software is provided "AS IS"; Licensor does not warrant that the Software is bug-free, uninterrupted, or fit for particular purpose.
Licensor is not responsible for:
Data loss from your use of the Software (please backup regularly)
Legal issues with works you create (copyright, tag policy, third-party SDK licensing, etc.)
Third-party service interruptions or policy changes (Steam / Paddle / Live2D / LLM providers)
12. Limitation of Liability
Licensor's maximum liability to you shall not exceed the cumulative amount you paid to Licensor (if you are a Free user, liability limited to USD 0).
Not liable for indirect, incidental, special, punitive damages (including profit loss, goodwill loss, etc.).
13. Termination
You may terminate this Agreement at any time by uninstalling and ceasing use of the Software.
We may terminate your license without refund if:
You materially breach this Agreement (distributing cracks, license escalation, etc.)
You use the Software for prohibited activities (Section 9)
Required by law
14. Terms Changes
This Agreement may be updated periodically. For material changes:
30-day email notice to paying users
Prominent banner in editor
You may accept the new version, or request refund (if changes materially affect your rights)
Continued use = acceptance of new version.
15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
This Agreement is interpreted under laws of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Disputes shall first be resolved via good-faith negotiation; if unsuccessful, the Taipei District Court of Taiwan shall be the court of first instance.
16. Miscellaneous
Severability: If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect
Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the complete understanding between you and Licensor regarding the Software, superseding all prior oral or written agreements
Languages: This Agreement is provided in Traditional Chinese, English, and Japanese. Traditional Chinese version is the master; in case of conflict, the Chinese version prevails.
Contact
Customer service / Legal inquiries: support@vnengine2d.com
Refunds / Upgrades: see Refund Policy
Privacy: see Privacy Policy
Please read this Agreement carefully before using the Software.
By opening, installing, copying, or using the Software, you accept all terms of this Agreement. If you disagree, immediately stop using and remove the Software from your device.
1. License Tiers and Scope
The Software offers three license tiers:
Tier Scope Unlock Method
Free Full editor, preview, learning use Default (free download)
Indie + HTML5 / Windows export, commercial release Indie DLC (Steam) or Indie license key (Paddle / website)
Pro + AI dialogue generation, vnctl CLI Agent Pro DLC (Steam) or Pro license key (Paddle / website)
License is granted in perpetuity (not subscription), but this Agreement governs use.
2. What You May Do
Free / Indie / Pro
Install the Software on up to 3 devices (Indie) or 5 devices (Pro) you personally or your company owns
Use the editor to create your own VN / minigame works
Share, exhibit your works on public networks / platforms
Indie / Pro only
Commercially release works you create with the Software (Steam, itch.io, your own website, etc.)
Retain 100% of sales revenue (we charge no royalty)
Freely modify and create derivative works
3. What You May NOT Do
❌ Decompile, reverse-engineer the Software or license system
❌ Remove, modify, or hide copyright notices, trademarks, branding within the Software
❌ Distribute Software binaries, license keys, or cracked versions without authorization
❌ Rent, lease, resell the Software to third parties (license keys are non-transferable)
❌ Remove preview watermark / commercially release works while on Free tier without upgrade
❌ Use for illegal, defamatory, or infringing purposes
4. License Key and Upgrade Terms ⭐ (Important)
4.1 License keys are non-transferable
License keys are bound to the purchaser (Email / Steam account). Transferring to others = loss of license + both parties may be blacklisted.
4.2 Indie → Pro Upgrade Red Line
Important: Upon upgrade to Pro, your original Indie license key will be disabled. Indie and Pro cannot be active simultaneously:
You will receive a new Pro license key
The original Indie key is immediately disabled and cannot be used on any device
The original Indie key's refund window has typically passed (Indie purchase + 30 days before upgrade is common); cannot be reverted to Indie active state
This design prevents license escalation (license abuse) vulnerabilities
Steam users: Upgrade via Steam Bundle "Complete the Set"; Steam automatically calculates the $40 difference. Both Indie DLC and Pro DLC entitlements coexist (Steam handles automatically — Indie DLC is not disabled, but editor tier takes max = Pro).
Paddle / website users: Upon upgrade, the old Indie key is permanently disabled, and a new Pro key is issued.
5. Third-Party License (Live2D Cubism SDK) ⭐ (Important)
The Software integrates Live2D Cubism SDK (owned by Live2D Inc.).
5.1 Your Obligations (VN Developer)
If your works created with the Software contain Live2D models or runtime Live2D features, and you commercially release such works, you must independently:
Read and comply with Live2D Cubism SDK License
Assess whether your annual revenue qualifies for Live2D's Free Indie License:
Annual revenue < ¥10M JPY (~USD 67k): Free Indie License OK
Annual revenue ≥ ¥10M JPY: Must purchase Live2D Cubism Pro License (paid directly to Live2D Inc.)
Display Live2D's trademark in your works' credits
Evaluate other Live2D terms (educational use, research use, etc.)
5.2 Our Disclaimer
We (VN Engine 2D publisher) are not responsible for whether you comply with Live2D SDK license terms.
If Live2D Inc. seeks license fees or legal action against your commercial use, you bear sole responsibility. The Software provides integration convenience only, not equivalent to obtaining Live2D license on your behalf.
6. Refund Policy
Refund rules detailed in Refund Policy:
Steam channel: Follows Steam standard refund policy (2-hour playtime + 14-day window, automatic)
Paddle channel: 14 days if license unactivated and no EXE export. Once activated or exported, considered "core functionality used"; refunds not accepted.
7. Software Updates
We may release updates (bug fixes / new features) periodically. Steam channel: automatic updates. Paddle channel: via editor's built-in update check.
For material feature changes: 30-day email notice. For license terms changes: see Section 14.
8. Intellectual Property
The Software (including but not limited to source code, UI design, icons, splash images, documentation) is owned by Licensor TSAI SHENG TSAI, protected by Taiwan and international copyright law.
Works you create with the Software: Copyright fully belongs to you; we claim no rights.
9. Prohibited Activities
You may not use the Software to create or distribute:
Realistic depictions of minors (real children) in sexual or sexualized content (fictional adult characters allowed but subject to Steam / each platform policy)
Non-consensual depictions of real persons (deepfakes, etc.)
Hate speech, incitement to violence, racist content
Content infringing third-party intellectual property
Violations may result in license revocation without refund.
10. Data and Privacy
See Privacy Policy.
Brief summary:
Content you create in the editor (scripts, dialogue, assets) stays entirely on your local device
AI dialogue generation uses BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) direct to your specified LLM; we never receive prompt content
We collect only the data necessary for license activation (email, device name, instance ID)
11. Disclaimer
The Software is provided "AS IS"; Licensor does not warrant that the Software is bug-free, uninterrupted, or fit for particular purpose.
Licensor is not responsible for:
Data loss from your use of the Software (please backup regularly)
Legal issues with works you create (copyright, tag policy, third-party SDK licensing, etc.)
Third-party service interruptions or policy changes (Steam / Paddle / Live2D / LLM providers)
12. Limitation of Liability
Licensor's maximum liability to you shall not exceed the cumulative amount you paid to Licensor (if you are a Free user, liability limited to USD 0).
Not liable for indirect, incidental, special, punitive damages (including profit loss, goodwill loss, etc.).
13. Termination
You may terminate this Agreement at any time by uninstalling and ceasing use of the Software.
We may terminate your license without refund if:
You materially breach this Agreement (distributing cracks, license escalation, etc.)
You use the Software for prohibited activities (Section 9)
Required by law
14. Terms Changes
This Agreement may be updated periodically. For material changes:
30-day email notice to paying users
Prominent banner in editor
You may accept the new version, or request refund (if changes materially affect your rights)
Continued use = acceptance of new version.
15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
This Agreement is interpreted under laws of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Disputes shall first be resolved via good-faith negotiation; if unsuccessful, the Taipei District Court of Taiwan shall be the court of first instance.
16. Miscellaneous
Severability: If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect
Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the complete understanding between you and Licensor regarding the Software, superseding all prior oral or written agreements
Languages: This Agreement is provided in Traditional Chinese, English, and Japanese. Traditional Chinese version is the master; in case of conflict, the Chinese version prevails.
Contact
Customer service / Legal inquiries: support@vnengine2d.com
Refunds / Upgrades: see Refund Policy
Privacy: see Privacy Policy