Before we dive in, I want to say this upfront: If you’ve never considered what I’m about to share—or if you realize you’ve made a misstep in the past—this is not a message of condemnation. Truly.

We’ve all made decisions at some point with limited knowledge. The goal of this post isn’t to shame or call anyone out. It’s to offer clarity, compassion, and an invitation to use homeschool resources in a way that honors God, each other, and the hard work behind small businesses like ours.

Whether you're using Gentle + Classical or another curriculum, I hope this information equips you to steward those materials with confidence and grace—especially if you’re using them within a co-op or group setting.

What Is Copyright—And Why Should We Care?

Copyright is a form of intellectual property that protects creative works—like books, artwork, and yes, homeschool curriculum. It ensures that the people who create these materials retain the right to control how they are used, shared, and distributed.

Think of it like a Netflix subscription. You can enjoy it with your family at home, but it doesn’t give you permission to host a community movie night, record and redistribute the content, or resell the access to someone else.

Even if you’re not profiting from it, sharing beyond the intended license still violates the agreement you entered into when you purchased the subscription.

The same goes for digital curriculum.

What’s OK (and What’s Not) When Using Digital Resources?

Here’s what’s always okay with Gentle + Classical digital curriculum:

✓ Printing for your own personal household
✓ Using within your immediate family
✓ Sharing links to our website so others can purchase or download directly
✓ Saving a personal backup
✓ Reaching out to us if you’re unsure!

But here are a few common actions that are not permitted—even with good intentions:

✕ Sharing files with friends, co-op members, or other families
✕ Uploading PDFs or images to shared PUBLIC platforms (like Facebook or Scribd; this is not the same as saving it to your personal Google Drive or Dropbox)
✕ Posting altered versions of our materials online
✕ Printing extra copies to give or resell
✕ Using the materials in a group or classroom setting without a group license

If any of this is new or surprising to you, you’re not alone. Many families simply don’t realize the boundaries around digital curriculum use—especially when they’re just trying to bless someone else or help their group function smoothly.

Want to Use Curriculum in a Group?

We love when families come together to learn in community—and we want to support that!

That’s why we offer a Group Use License for small co-ops, churches, hybrid schools, and any other setting where multiple families will be using Gentle + Classical materials.

This affordable annual license gives legal permission for shared use, and it helps sustain the long-term development of our programs. You can learn more about it here.

If you ever have questions about whether a group license is needed or how it works, we’re just an email away and happy to walk you through it.

Why It Matters

When curriculum is shared without proper licensing—even accidentally—it deeply impacts small businesses like ours.

This work supports our families, yes. But more than that, it supports future development, customer service, and the ability to keep creating tools that serve your family with excellence and faithfulness.

We know some families may not agree with annual renewals or our licensing model—and we’re always open to sharing how and why we’ve structured things this way. Just ask!

No Shame, Just Grace

If you’ve read this and realized, “Oh no… I think I’ve done this,” please hear me:

You are not alone.
You are not being shamed.
You are still welcome here.

Almost every instance of licensing misuse we’ve seen has come from a place of love and a lack of knowledge—not malice. But when we know better, we can do better.

So let’s walk forward together in grace, clarity, and integrity—honoring the work behind these resources and raising our children with honesty in both the small and the significant things.

And if you’re ever unsure about what’s okay? Just ask. We’re always here to help.