The CyberLink EULA is the end user licence agreement that CyberLink publishes for each desktop product and version, such as PowerDirector, PhotoDirector and PowerDVD. The texts follow one template. Installing or using the software “will be deemed to be acceptance of the license terms”, which bind the user “in a legally enforceable contract with CyberLink Corp.”[1] The PowerDirector 2024 EULA was last modified on 2024-02-29, and the PhotoDirector 2025 EULA on 2024-01-31.[1][2]
Editions
The EULA does not list editions. It defines licence types that apply across them:[1]
| Licence type | Core rule |
|---|---|
| Individual | “for your own use under the general terms above” |
| Site | “used in a single location”; user maximum set by the site licence agreement |
| Volume | one copy per device; capped at the quantity bought in bulk; multiple backups allowed |
| Evaluation / Trial | one copy per device; time-limited; “for non-commercial use” |
| Subscription | ongoing access needs internet, recurring payment and the subscription terms; may be disabled on expiry |
| Educational | “for educational purposes and non-commercial use only” |
The educational licence may be bought by “schools, universities, students and their legal guardians, faculty, teachers, professors, lecturers and any other educational institutions, scholars or staff”.[1]
Metrics
The grant is per computer or device. CyberLink grants “a non-exclusive right to download and/or install the accompanying PowerDirector software program(s) … on a certain number of computer(s)/ device(s) in accordance with the number of the license(s) you purchased”.[1] The PhotoDirector EULA uses the same words.[2] The catalog records this as the licensed computer or device. The volume and site variants are recorded as the volume licence seat and the site licence.
Counting / floors
Copies. “You shall not reproduce the SOFTWARE unless for backup purposes and limited to one copy only.”[1] Volume licence holders may make several backup copies.
Restrictions. The licensee may not “rent, lease, sublicense, modify, alter, reverse engineer, disassemble, decompile, or create any derivative work of the SOFTWARE”, or remove proprietary notices.[1]
Source of supply. “The SOFTWARE must be lawfully acquired from CyberLink or through CyberLink’s authorized resellers otherwise you do not have a right to use the SOFTWARE.” The buyer bears the risk if software obtained elsewhere, or second-hand, cannot be installed or used.[1]
Resale. Once the software is installed it may not be resold or distributed, “subject to the relevant statutes”. Whether resale is legal depends on the law where the licensee or the transferee is. “Generally a resale or distribution will cause an automatic termination of your license to use the SOFTWARE.”[1]
Upgrades. An upgrade “is provided to you on a license exchange basis”. By installing it the licensee agrees “to voluntarily terminate your earlier EULA” and may not keep using, reselling or distributing the earlier version.[1] Upgrade copies therefore do not add to the licence count: the old installation must be retired.
Activation. On first use of certain multimedia functions, the software collects “the serial number of your computer system and the product key (CD key) for activation purposes only”.[1] Some products also send anonymous events to CyberLink, for example on installation and removal. Trial versions may send crash reports silently.[1]
Codec patents and commercial use
The EULA separates CyberLink’s software licence from patent licences for video and audio formats. “If you are going to use the SOFTWARE for your direct revenue-generating use or to serve as a main resource to generate revenue for you then additional licenses will be needed” for a non-exhaustive list of technologies. The PowerDirector list covers H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, MVC, H.265/HEVC and MPEG-2/4 AAC. For each, the EULA names the patent pool administrator to contact.[1] The clause ends: “CyberLink does not license the above items for commercial use”.[1]
The pool notices reproduced in the EULA say the same thing. The AVC licence covers “THE PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE OF A CONSUMER”. The HEVC notice allows use only with HEVC content that is for personal use, not offered for sale, and created by the owner of the product.[1] The PhotoDirector EULA adds MPEG-4 Visual and VC-1 to the list. It also states that “the H.265/HEVC codec is not included in your SOFTWARE upon sale or installation”, so users must install the HEVC Video Extensions themselves.[2]
For a business, buying CyberLink licences, including volume licences, does not by itself cover revenue-generating video production. Whether separate patent licences are needed depends on the use. The EULA directs users to the licensing agents.[1]
Bundled media and stock content
CyberLink and third-party media. Templates, images, audio, video and other bundled “Media Content” may be used to “demonstrate, complete or upload your work created by the use of the SOFTWARE to social media platforms”. Several conditions apply.[1] The content must “remain in use on SOFTWARE”. It may not be used “in any illegal, public performance or commercial or immoral manner”. It may not be redistributed, shared or used as a trademark or logo. Use of Media Content “is subject to your purchase of SOFTWARE or a valid subscription”.[1]
Getty Images content. Getty Images content may be used “solely as incorporated into digital works created by you using the SOFTWARE”. A watermarked, low-resolution version may be downloaded free “only for evaluation purposes, for a period of up to thirty (30) days”.[1] “Unless you purchase licenses of Getty Images Content, you may not use any Getty Images Content in any final materials or any publicly available materials.” Once a licence is paid, the item may be used any number of times in works made with the software.[1] Getty Images content may not be used in templates, in retail products such as e-cards or posters, in logos, or for file sharing. Editorial use requires a credit line.[1] Getty music content has the same rights, plus the restrictions in the Getty music licence.[1]
The PowerDirector 365 product page describes its stock library, “Getty Images and Meta Sound Collection”, as “pre-cleared for commercial and personal use”.[3] The marketing page and the EULA should be read together. For business use, the safer course is to keep evidence of the subscription, or of the purchased licence for each stock item used in published material.
Generative AI. Features based on Stable Diffusion models carry the model’s use restrictions. These include bans on unlawful use, on generating false information to harm others, on fully automated decisions that affect legal rights, and on providing medical advice.[1]
Virtualization & partitioning
The EULA counts computers and devices and does not mention virtual machines, remote desktop services or shared workstations.[1] Without a specific rule, each computer or device on which the software is installed is the safe unit. The volume licence’s “one copy per device” wording supports this.
Cloud / BYOL
Subscription software “requires a working internet connection”, and CyberLink “may change the version of the SOFTWARE provided to you at any time without liability to you”.[1] The Subscription Agreement repeats this clause.[4] There are no bring-your-own-licence terms for third-party clouds.
Warranty, liability and law
The physical media warranty runs for 90 days. Otherwise the software is provided “AS IS”. CyberLink’s total liability is capped at “THE MONETARY AMOUNT ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY CYBERLINK FROM YOU FOR THE APPLICABLE LICENSES”.[1] The licensee indemnifies CyberLink against claims arising from illegal use or breach of the EULA. On termination, the licensee must destroy and delete the software and its documentation.[1] The EULA is governed by Taiwan law. Disputes go to arbitration in Taipei, and the English text prevails over localised versions.[1]
Out of scope
- The terms of service of related online services such as DirectorZone, which the EULA refers to separately.
- Patent pool licence terms, which are set by the pool administrators and not by CyberLink.
- FaceMe SDK and FaceMe Security licence agreements, which are not public.