Understanding Nuva’s 4 Digital Likeness License Types: Where Can Your Identity Be Used, and How Safe Is It?

Artificial intelligence is opening up new opportunities for actors, models, creators, and everyday individuals to earn income from their digital likeness, without having to be physically present for every photoshoot or production.

But these opportunities also raise important questions:

• What happens if someone uses my face in an advertisement without my permission?
• If I license my likeness for a fashion campaign, can it also be used in a film?
• Can someone who purchases my license resell the rights to another company?
• Most importantly, how much control will I retain over my own identity?

These are exactly the questions Nuva aims to address.

Nuva uses a Digital Likeness Licensing system to establish clear rights, permissions, and boundaries around how your digital identity can be used.

Before joining Nuva, here's what you should know about digital likeness licensing, the four available license categories, and the safeguards designed to protect your rights as a Talent.

What Is a Digital Likeness License? Is It the Same as Selling Your Face?

Licensing your digital likeness does not mean selling your face or giving up ownership of your identity.

Instead, it means granting an individual or company permission to use your digital likeness under specific terms and conditions.

Importantly, a Digital Likeness License does not give the licensee permission to use your real-life identity or physical presence as an endorsement. The license covers only the permitted use of your digital likeness.

Imagine a fashion brand wants to feature your digital likeness in its next advertising campaign.

Rather than arranging a traditional photoshoot, coordinating a production team, and requiring you to be physically present, the brand may be able to create campaign visuals using AI technology under an authorized license.

However, that permission does not automatically allow the brand to use your likeness across every product, campaign, or marketing channel indefinitely.

A license can define important conditions, including:

• The purpose of use
• The license duration
• The geographical territories where the content may be distributed
• The permitted commercial rights

The key principle is simple: a licensee receives specific usage rights—not ownership of your identity.

What Are the 4 Types of Nuva Licenses?

Nuva organizes digital likeness licensing into four main categories, helping both Talent and Producers understand where and how a digital likeness may be used.

B1 | Film, Series & Music Video

For films, television series, music videos, and narrative productions.

Imagine an international film director searching for the perfect actor for a short film and discovering that your digital likeness is exactly what the character needs.

The B1 License is designed for creative productions such as:

• Feature films and short films
• Television series and dramas
• Music videos
• Narrative video productions featuring digital characters

What Talent Should Know

Granting permission to use your likeness in a film does not automatically give the Producer the right to use it in unrelated product advertisements or out-of-home (OOH) promotional media.

If you choose to make additional usage rights available, the Producer may purchase the relevant License Add-ons, subject to your permissions and the applicable licensing terms.

B2 | Advertising & Commercial

For advertising campaigns, brand promotions, and commercial marketing.

This category may offer exciting opportunities for Talent, as brands constantly need fresh images and videos for their marketing campaigns.

Examples of permitted applications may include:

• Television commercials (TVCs)
• Digital and social media advertisements
• Print advertising and out-of-home (OOH) media
• Brand marketing campaigns

Using your digital likeness on product packaging or merchandise intended for sale may require additional permission, depending on the rights included in the license.

What Talent Should Know

Licensing your likeness for a brand campaign does not mean giving the brand unrestricted permission to associate your identity with every product it sells.

The licensee must remain within the agreed scope of use.

B3 | E-commerce & Fashion Editorial

For fashion campaigns, product catalogs, lookbooks, and e-commerce imagery.

For models and individuals interested in the fashion industry, this license category creates opportunities to appear in digital fashion and product imagery.

Potential applications include:

• Fashion photography for e-commerce websites
• Seasonal fashion lookbooks
• Fashion editorial imagery
• Product catalog photography

Under Nuva's standard B3 licensing structure, usage is limited to up to 50 still images over a two-year period, subject to the terms of the specific license issued.

What Talent Should Know

Purchasing a B3 License does not automatically authorize the buyer to reproduce your likeness in printed promotional brochures or out-of-home advertising.

These uses are permitted only when you have made the relevant Add-on License available and the additional rights have been purchased.

B4 | Game & Gaming License

For video games, digital characters, and interactive entertainment experiences.

Imagine a game development studio creating a new video game and wanting to develop a character that looks like you.

Instead of designing an entirely fictional appearance, the studio may seek permission to use your digital likeness to create an in-game character under an authorized license.

Potential applications include:

• Video game characters
• Playable characters
• Non-player characters (NPCs)
• In-game cinematics and story sequences

What Talent Should Know

Games may contain sensitive themes, including violence or situations that could affect how your likeness is perceived.

Such uses must comply with Nuva's licensing restrictions and any applicable approval requirements.

The goal is to open new opportunities for Talent in the gaming industry while maintaining clear boundaries around how their digital identities may be used.

How Safe Is Digital Likeness Licensing?

Licensing a digital likeness inevitably involves certain risks, particularly as AI-generated images and videos become increasingly realistic.

Nuva therefore places importance on clearly defined licensing rights, documented permissions, and policies designed to prevent misuse.

1. Clearly Defined Usage Rights

Purchasing a license does not give someone unlimited rights to your digital likeness.

Each license specifies important conditions, including:

• Usage Type: What the likeness may be used for
• Duration: How long the license remains valid
• Territory: Where the licensed content may be distributed
• Commercial Rights: What types of commercial activities are permitted

Any use beyond the agreed scope must be assessed under the applicable license terms and platform policies.

2. Restrictions on Prohibited Content

Nuva maintains a Prohibited Use Policy to help prevent digital likenesses from being used in inappropriate, unlawful, or potentially harmful contexts.

Examples of prohibited uses include:

• Pornographic or prohibited sexual content
• Gambling and illegal activities
• Promotion or advertising of illegal drugs
• Political activities prohibited under Nuva's policies
• Improper or prohibited attempts to influence religious conversion

Certain other situations may fall under Nuva's Sensitive Scenario requirements and require additional review or explicit Talent approval.

These restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of a Talent's likeness being associated with content or activities outside the scope of their consent.

3. No Unauthorized Reselling or Sublicensing

Purchasing a Digital Likeness License does not give the buyer unrestricted permission to resell the rights, transfer them to another party, or allow third parties to use your likeness independently.

Nuva restricts sublicensing to help ensure that the licensed likeness remains subject to the agreed rights and conditions.

4. Licensing Records and Traceability

Nuva's licensing process is designed to document key transaction details, including the licensed rights, agreements, and license reference information.

These records help establish who was authorized to use a digital likeness and under what conditions.

Although no recordkeeping system can guarantee complete protection against unauthorized third-party use, documented licensing information can support investigations and help clarify rights in the event of a dispute.

If I Join Nuva, Do I Have to Approve Every Project?

Not at all. Nuva allows you to define which types of projects may use your digital likeness and whether you want to approve licensing requests individually.

During onboarding, Talent can configure their license categories, pricing, casting scenarios, and preferences for sensitive situations.

Auto-Casting Mode: Unlock Opportunities Without Approving Every Request

Nuva offers Auto-Casting, a feature designed to make licensing more convenient by allowing Talent to choose between two approval methods.

Auto-Casting ON — Instant Licensing

Nuva can automatically approve eligible licensing requests and issue licenses when the project matches the license categories, pricing, usage scope, and conditions you have authorized in advance.

This applies only to standard, non-sensitive requests that meet your predefined settings.

Auto-Casting OFF — Manual Approval

You review and decide whether to approve each licensing request before the Producer receives permission to use your digital likeness.

Enabling Auto-Casting does not mean allowing anyone to use your identity freely. It simply means granting advance approval for qualifying projects within the boundaries you have established.

Sensitive Scenarios: Your Explicit Approval Is Always Required

Some productions may involve sensitive themes or situations, such as BL/GL dramas, romantic scenes, kissing scenes, or other content that could affect how your likeness is portrayed.

Nuva handles these requests separately from standard licensing.

For sensitive scenarios, you can choose to:

• Send to Me for Approval: Receive eligible requests for individual review.
• Automatically Decline: Automatically reject requests involving those scenarios.

Even with Auto-Casting enabled, Sensitive Scenario requests are never automatically approved.

These requests must first undergo Nuva's review process.

You will then have the opportunity to examine the Producer's request and Creative Brief before deciding whether to grant permission.

A license can be issued only after you have provided explicit approval for that specific request.

Can I Cancel a License After It Has Been Issued?

Once a license has been issued, the buyer receives the usage rights specified in the agreement for the agreed duration.

Cancellation, withdrawal of consent, or changes to an existing license are subject to the applicable contractual terms.

A license that has already been sold cannot automatically be revoked simply because the Talent changes their mind.

At Nuva, we believe new opportunities should always go hand in hand with respect for the rights and decisions of the person behind the identity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nuva Licensing

Do I Have to Be a Professional Actor or Model to Join Nuva?

No. Nuva aims to make digital likeness licensing accessible not only to professional actors and models, but also to creators and everyday individuals interested in exploring new opportunities.

Registration and profile publication remain subject to Nuva's eligibility and onboarding requirements.

Is There a Registration Fee or Monthly Subscription?

Joining Nuva as a Talent is free, with no registration fee or monthly subscription.

You can create your profile, set your licensing prices, and make yourself available for licensing opportunities without paying an upfront fee.

Nuva charges a total service fee of 25% of the license value only when a license is successfully sold.

If I License My Likeness for Fashion Images, Can the Buyer Use It to Advertise Other Products?

No. Buyers must comply with the specific license category and usage rights they have purchased.

If they wish to use your likeness for another purpose, additional permission or an appropriate License Add-on may be required.

Can Nuva Guarantee That Nobody Will Ever Misuse My Face?

No platform can guarantee 100% protection against unauthorized or unlawful use of a person's likeness.

However, clear licensing terms, documented permissions, and strict usage policies can help reduce risks and support the investigation of potential violations.

Nuva also has a legal team responsible for addressing identified license misuse.

Where a licensee uses a digital likeness outside the authorized scope, Nuva may pursue appropriate legal action, revoke the relevant usage rights where permitted, and submit complaints or takedown requests to the platforms hosting the unauthorized content.

What Photos Do I Need to Upload, and What Quality Is Required?

To help AI generate a realistic digital likeness that accurately reflects your facial features and appearance, Nuva requires 8 reference photographs, divided into two categories.

1. Close-up — 5 Shots

• 1 front-facing photo with a neutral expression
• 1 front-facing photo with a smile
• 2 three-quarter-view photos at approximately 45 degrees, one from each side
• 1 side-profile photo at approximately 90 degrees

2. Full-body — 3 Shots

• 1 front-facing full-body photo
• 1 three-quarter-view full-body photo at approximately 45 degrees
• 1 side-view full-body photo

You may also upload up to 5 additional photos of your choice, without restrictions on camera distance.

Photo Quality Requirements

All reference images must be captured using professional studio-grade equipment or a high-quality camera capable of producing sharp, detailed images.

Photos must meet a minimum resolution of 8K, with appropriate lighting and clear visibility of your face and body proportions.

Avoid beauty filters or excessive retouching that alters your natural facial features.

Don't Have Suitable Photos? Nuva Offers a Free Studio Photoshoot!

If you don't yet have photographs that meet Nuva's requirements and you're able to visit a studio in Bangkok, you may be eligible for a complimentary photoshoot at one of Nuva's partner studios.

Here's how to claim your complimentary photoshoot:

1. Register as a Talent on the Nuva website.
2. Complete the identity verification process (eKYC).
3. Add Nuva's official LINE account: @nuva.official.
4. Send a message requesting your complimentary photoshoot. Our team will verify your eligibility and help arrange your appointment.

This exclusive offer is limited to the first 300 registered Talent, subject to Nuva's eligibility requirements and promotional terms.

Important Fraud Prevention Notice

Nuva does not require applicants to make any upfront payments under any circumstances.

Please be cautious of individuals impersonating Nuva and requesting registration fees, photoshoot fees, or advance processing payments.

If you receive a suspicious message or payment request, contact Nuva only through its official communication channels.

Your Identity Has Value. And It Deserves Respect.

As artificial intelligence transforms how films, advertisements, games, and digital content are created, new opportunities are emerging for individuals to earn income from their own likeness.

But technological progress should never come at the expense of personal rights.

At Nuva, we believe the future of digital creativity should be built on clear licensing rights, informed consent, and responsible use.

Whether you're an actor, model, creator, or simply someone curious about new opportunities, understanding digital likeness licensing is the first step toward making informed decisions about your digital identity.

Your Identity. Your Opportunity.

Ready to explore what your digital likeness could make possible?

Join the Nuva Talent Community

Learn More About Our Policies

• Nuva License Usage Scope
• Nuva Prohibited Use Policy

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal agreement or legal advice. Actual rights, restrictions, and obligations are governed by the applicable license agreement and Nuva's current platform policies.