Understanding account sharing and copyright guidelines in BioRender

BioRender is designed for individual use, and each user must have their own account. This article provides an overview of BioRender's policies regarding account sharing, copyright guidelines, and potential consequences of violations.

Policy on multiple users sharing one account

BioRender accounts are intended for individual use only. Sharing accounts among multiple users is strictly prohibited. Each user must create and maintain their own account.

Why is account sharing not allowed?

• Security concerns: Sharing credentials compromises account security and increases the risk of unauthorized access.
• License agreement compliance: BioRender’s Terms of Service state that accounts must be used by a single individual.
• User experience: Each account is tailored to an individual user, ensuring proper access, security, and support.
• Attribution: Having an individual account ensures that there are no issues with our licensing policies, as any publication licenses generated on a shared account would be considered void as it cannot be attributed to its respective author for ownership. Additionally, it prevents any issues with the publication process and ensures the correct owner and creator's name is on the publication license.

Consequences of account sharing violations

We take the sharing of an account seriously. Our priority is to ensure a fair and secure environment for all our users. Any accounts found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to the following actions:

• Temporary account suspension.
• Account deactivation.
• Loss of access to purchased licenses or subscription plans.

Copyright and publication rights

At BioRender, we respect intellectual property rights and encourage our users to do the same. It's important to note that publishing BioRender illustrations without a paid license infringes on copyright laws. It is the responsibility of each user to ensure they have the necessary permissions and licenses for the use and publication of their illustrations.

To learn more about publication rights and how to obtain the appropriate licenses, please read this article.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to our account sharing and copyright Terms. By following these guidelines, we can maintain a secure and reliable platform for all our users.

Frequently asked questions

• What happens if my account is flagged for account sharing?

If unusual activity suggests multiple users are accessing a single account, BioRender may place the account under review. Users will be required to confirm their identity and adherence to policy guidelines.

• Can I transfer my account to another user?

If a new user requires access, we recommend they create their own account. Changing the ownership of an account requires the request to be reviewed by our support team. Please see this article: Transfer the ownership of an account

• Can I publish figures created in BioRender?

Yes, but proper citation and licensing are required. If you export a figure on a shared account, this goes against our terms and conditions and may cause issues with your publication as the figure may not reflect the correct owner and creator of the figure. Refer to our publication license guidelines for more information. 

What’s next?

To ensure compliance with BioRender’s policies and maximize your experience, consider:

• Review our Terms of Service.
• Learn about available group licenses and subscription plans.

Need help?

If you have any questions or concerns:

• Email Support: support@biorender.com
• Live Chat: Available by clicking on the "Help" bubble in the app (bottom right-hand corner).