Theme License & Transfers
As required by the Shopify Terms of Service (see: Shopify Terms of Service – section 9.6 [as of August, 28th, 2025]), each production store using the Focus theme must hold a valid, active license. The ONLY legitimate way to obtain a license is by purchasing the theme through the official Shopify Theme Store.
Single‑Store License Model
A theme license is valid for one (1) Shopify store only. Example: if you purchased for my-first-store.myshopify.com, you are authorized to run the theme solely on that store. Installing, copying, or using the theme on any other store (live, trial, or otherwise) requires either:
- A separate license purchase, or
- A completed, approved license transfer (see below).
No Direct Refunds / Bulk Pricing
All billing, refunds, discounts, and multi‑purchase options are controlled exclusively by Shopify. We cannot issue refunds, retroactive discounts, or bulk license deals.
Verifying Your License
If you purchased via the Shopify Theme Store, you almost certainly have a valid license. To confirm:
- Contact Shopify Support and request license verification; or
- Reach out to us with your store URL so we can cross‑check.
Unlicensed Usage
You may be unlicensed if you acquired the theme from any source other than the Shopify Theme Store (e.g. file sharing sites, third‑party bundles, “nulled” downloads, or an unauthorized developer copy).
Legal Notice
Running the theme without a valid license voids all support and update eligibility. We actively monitor for unauthorized distribution. Unlicensed usage WILL result in DMCA takedown notices, Shopify legal escalation, store theme removal, and/or further legal action to protect our intellectual property rights. Remove any unlicensed copy immediately and obtain a proper license to avoid business disruption.
Multiple Markets vs Multiple Stores
Using multiple MARKETS (international domains / languages) inside the SAME Shopify store requires only one license. Operating multiple distinct Shopify stores (e.g. separate admin backends for US vs EU) requires one license per store.
Development & Staging Stores (Agencies / Partners)
Agencies or merchants may temporarily install the theme on a password‑protected development store that does not process real payments while building a project for a licensed production store.
Important:
- The production (live) store must ultimately purchase the theme. Do not buy it on a dev store.
- When contacting support from a dev instance, include the production store URL where the license was purchased so we can validate faster.
License Transfers
To move a license from one store to another, you must work through Shopify. At present, Shopify generally requires the original store to be fully deactivated/closed for a transfer to proceed. If you still need the original store active, a transfer is typically not possible—purchase a new license instead.
Prohibited Derivative Development & Resale
You are NOT permitted to:
- Use this theme (in whole or substantial part) as a base to create a new theme for public distribution (free or paid) on the Shopify Theme Store or elsewhere.
- Re‑package, white‑label, or resell this theme (modified or unmodified) to third parties.
- Offer the theme as part of a “bundle”, SaaS access, downloadable pack, agency starter kit, or similar productized distribution.
- Extract significant portions of the codebase, templates, sections, styles, or design elements for inclusion in another commercial theme.
Limited internal customization for your own licensed store (or a client project tied to that licensed store) is allowed, but any systematic extraction, cloning, or commercialization beyond that scope is strictly prohibited.
Enforcement
Unauthorized derivative development or resale constitutes copyright infringement. We will pursue enforcement including (where applicable) DMCA notices, Shopify Partner Program reports, marketplace takedowns, account termination requests, and civil remedies (injunctive relief and damages). All investigative costs may be claimed where legally permissible.
Copyright & Legal Framework (Non‑Exhaustive)
Protection of this theme and its original code, structure, and expressive design elements arises under (as applicable):
- Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
- WIPO Copyright Treaty
- U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq.)
- U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512) – takedown & anti‑circumvention provisions
- EU Software Directive (Directive 2009/24/EC) & InfoSoc Directive (2001/29/EC)
- UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
- Canadian Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42)
- Australian Copyright Act 1968
- Other national copyright statutes where the work is accessed or exploited
Nothing here limits additional rights under trademark, unfair competition, contract, or database laws. This section is informational only and not legal advice; jurisdictional applicability may vary.
Summary of Allowed vs Not Allowed
| Scenario | Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Use on the store that purchased the theme | Yes | Standard usage |
| Use on a second active store without new license | No | Requires another purchase |
| Dev / staging (password protected, no real payments) | Yes | Must pair with a production license |
| Sharing or redistributing theme files | No | Violates license & ToS |
| Using for multiple markets within one store | Yes | One backend = one license |
| Cloned store after expansion (distinct admin) | No | Needs new license |
| Creating a new theme for sale based on this one | No | Derivative commercialization prohibited |
| Reselling / white‑labeling this theme | No | Infringement & breach |
By using the theme you acknowledge and agree to these licensing terms alongside the Shopify Terms of Service.