diff --git a/app/privacy/page.tsx b/app/privacy/page.tsx
index 4ce67dd..c3b6377 100644
--- a/app/privacy/page.tsx
+++ b/app/privacy/page.tsx
@@ -70,7 +70,8 @@ export default function PrivacyPage() {
       <ul>
         <li>
           Plan type, monthly credit allocation, credits used, purchased extra credits, quota reset
-          dates, and job processing status
+          dates, lifetime successful video render count (used for Free-tier watermark policy), and
+          job processing status
         </li>
         <li>
           Quota reset / extension and API rate-limit extension request history (Pro) when you submit
diff --git a/app/terms/page.tsx b/app/terms/page.tsx
index 281b4f0..fa9b79d 100644
--- a/app/terms/page.tsx
+++ b/app/terms/page.tsx
@@ -37,8 +37,9 @@ export default function TermsPage() {
       <ul>
         <li>
           <strong>Bedroom Producer (Free):</strong> 10 video credits per calendar month, 720p, MP3,
-          optional Songs2VID watermark (bottom-right), one static cover image per batch; may purchase
-          limited extra credits as described in Clause 8.2
+          first 2 successful videos watermark-free then Songs2VID brand watermark (bottom-right) on
+          later Free renders, one static cover image per batch; may purchase limited extra credits as
+          described in Clause 8.2
         </li>
         <li>
           <strong>Independent Artist (Pro):</strong> 50 video credits per month, higher resolution and
@@ -170,6 +171,13 @@ export default function TermsPage() {
         available only on the Free plan purchase flow; Pro includes its monthly allocation and does
         not sell the same Free top-up packs.
       </p>
+      <p>
+        Separately from monthly credits, Free accounts receive{" "}
+        <strong>2 lifetime watermark-free successful video renders</strong>. After those renders,
+        subsequent Free-tier videos include a Songs2VID brand watermark (bottom-right) unless you
+        upgrade to Pro or Enterprise terms that remove that requirement. The lifetime count is based
+        on successfully completed encodes, not monthly credit resets.
+      </p>
 
       <h3>8.3 Credit rollover &amp; accumulation cap</h3>
       <p>
diff --git a/components/PricingSection.tsx b/components/PricingSection.tsx
index 3b4a3c5..43ae681 100644
--- a/components/PricingSection.tsx
+++ b/components/PricingSection.tsx
@@ -61,11 +61,11 @@ const PLANS: PlanConfig[] = [
       "API support": "Not included",
       "ID3 tags": "Auto-fill title & metadata from MP3 tags",
       Support: "Community",
-      Watermark: "Optional Songs2VID badge · bottom-right",
+      Watermark: "2 clean videos, then Songs2VID badge · bottom-right",
     },
     infrastructureChips: ["cloud"],
     watermarkNote:
-      `Show "${getVideoAttributionText()}" to support open-source development - opt out anytime for a clean video.`,
+      `First 2 successful Free renders are watermark-free; later Free renders include the "${getVideoAttributionText()}" badge (bottom-right). Upgrade to Pro for unwatermarked videos.`,
     cta: { type: "signin" },
     highlighted: false,
     hover:
@@ -323,7 +323,8 @@ export function PricingSection() {
           <p className="mx-auto mt-10 max-w-2xl text-center text-xs text-gray-500">
             *Free includes 10 videos/month; buy 1–15 extras at €0.25 each (max 15 extras). After both
             are used, Pro (€5/mo · 50 videos) is required. Total balance capped at 30. Deduction
-            order: monthly first, then extras.
+            order: monthly first, then extras. Free also includes 2 lifetime watermark-free
+            successful videos; later Free renders include a Songs2VID watermark unless you upgrade.
           </p>
           <p className="mx-auto mt-4 max-w-2xl text-center text-xs text-gray-500">
             **Technical support is strictly reserved for Managed Cloud and paid Professional Setup
diff --git a/components/UploadForm.tsx b/components/UploadForm.tsx
index e466571..376b93b 100644
--- a/components/UploadForm.tsx
+++ b/components/UploadForm.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ import { PrivacyToggle } from "./PrivacyToggle";
 import { ResolutionSelect } from "./ResolutionSelect";
 import { QuotaErrorMessage, UpgradeProLink } from "./UpgradeProLink";
 import { UpgradeProButton } from "./UpgradeProButton";
+import { WatermarkPaywallModal } from "./WatermarkPaywallModal";
+import { FREE_UNWATERMARKED_VIDEO_LIMIT } from "@/lib/watermark-policy";
 
 const UPLOAD_CONCURRENCY = 4;
 
@@ -82,7 +84,12 @@ export function UploadForm() {
     customWatermark?: boolean;
     perItemImages?: boolean;
     artTrackLayouts?: boolean;
+    subscriptionStatus?: "free" | "pro";
+    createdVideoCount?: number;
+    watermarkFreeRemaining?: number | null;
   } | null>(null);
+  const [showWatermarkPaywall, setShowWatermarkPaywall] = useState(false);
+  const [watermarkDefaultsApplied, setWatermarkDefaultsApplied] = useState(false);
 
   const isPro = Boolean(quota?.selfHosted || quota?.plan === "PREMIUM");
   const canPerItemImages = Boolean(quota?.perItemImages || isPro);
@@ -107,6 +114,12 @@ export function UploadForm() {
         customWatermark: Boolean(data.customWatermark),
         perItemImages: Boolean(data.perItemImages),
         artTrackLayouts: Boolean(data.artTrackLayouts),
+        subscriptionStatus: data.subscriptionStatus === "pro" ? "pro" : "free",
+        createdVideoCount: typeof data.createdVideoCount === "number" ? data.createdVideoCount : 0,
+        watermarkFreeRemaining:
+          data.watermarkFreeRemaining === null || data.watermarkFreeRemaining === undefined
+            ? null
+            : Number(data.watermarkFreeRemaining),
       });
     }
   }, []);
@@ -115,6 +128,21 @@ export function UploadForm() {
     loadQuota();
   }, [loadQuota]);
 
+  // Align free-tier watermark default with remaining watermark-free slots (once).
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!quota || watermarkDefaultsApplied) return;
+    if (quota.selfHosted || quota.plan === "PREMIUM") {
+      setWatermarkDefaultsApplied(true);
+      return;
+    }
+    const remaining = quota.watermarkFreeRemaining ?? 0;
+    setJobWatermark({
+      ...DEFAULT_WATERMARK,
+      mode: remaining > 0 ? "none" : "default",
+    });
+    setWatermarkDefaultsApplied(true);
+  }, [quota, watermarkDefaultsApplied]);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     return () => {
       if (imagePreviewUrl) URL.revokeObjectURL(imagePreviewUrl);
@@ -383,14 +411,32 @@ export function UploadForm() {
     ) &&
     !submitting;
 
-  async function handleSubmit(e: React.FormEvent) {
-    e.preventDefault();
+  async function submitJob() {
     if (!canSubmit || !imagePath) return;
 
     setSubmitting(true);
     setError(null);
 
     try {
+      const forcedWatermark =
+        !isPro &&
+        !quota?.selfHosted &&
+        (quota?.createdVideoCount ?? 0) >= FREE_UNWATERMARKED_VIDEO_LIMIT;
+      const effectiveWatermark: WatermarkSettings = forcedWatermark
+        ? { ...DEFAULT_WATERMARK, mode: "default" }
+        : canCustomWatermark
+          ? jobWatermark
+          : {
+              mode: jobWatermark.mode === "none" ? "none" : "default",
+              position: "bottom-right",
+              offsetX: 20,
+              offsetY: 20,
+              text: null,
+              logoPath: null,
+              fontKey: "system",
+              fontPath: null,
+            };
+
       const res = await fetch("/api/jobs", {
         method: "POST",
         headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
@@ -402,15 +448,8 @@ export function UploadForm() {
             metadata: {
               ...item.metadata,
               imagePath: canPerItemImages ? item.itemImagePath || item.metadata.imagePath || null : null,
-              includeWatermark: jobWatermark.mode !== "none",
-              watermark: canCustomWatermark
-                ? jobWatermark
-                : {
-                    mode: jobWatermark.mode === "none" ? "none" : "default",
-                    position: "bottom-right",
-                    offsetX: 20,
-                    offsetY: 20,
-                  },
+              includeWatermark: effectiveWatermark.mode !== "none",
+              watermark: effectiveWatermark,
               layout: canArtTrackLayouts ? jobLayout : { ...DEFAULT_LAYOUT },
             },
           })),
@@ -432,10 +471,51 @@ export function UploadForm() {
     }
   }
 
+  async function handleSubmit(e: React.FormEvent) {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    if (!canSubmit || !imagePath) return;
+
+    const needsPaywall =
+      !isPro &&
+      !quota?.selfHosted &&
+      (quota?.createdVideoCount ?? 0) >= FREE_UNWATERMARKED_VIDEO_LIMIT;
+
+    if (needsPaywall) {
+      setShowWatermarkPaywall(true);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    await submitJob();
+  }
+
+  function watermarkStatusLabel(): string | null {
+    if (!quota || quota.selfHosted) return null;
+    if (quota.plan === "PREMIUM" || quota.subscriptionStatus === "pro") {
+      return "Pro Member (No Watermark)";
+    }
+    const remaining = quota.watermarkFreeRemaining ?? 0;
+    if (remaining > 0) {
+      return `Free Tier: ${remaining}/${FREE_UNWATERMARKED_VIDEO_LIMIT} Watermark-Free Renders Left`;
+    }
+    return "Free Tier (Watermark Active)";
+  }
+
   return (
     <form onSubmit={handleSubmit} className="space-y-6">
+      <WatermarkPaywallModal
+        open={showWatermarkPaywall}
+        onClose={() => setShowWatermarkPaywall(false)}
+        onContinueWithWatermark={() => {
+          setShowWatermarkPaywall(false);
+          void submitJob();
+        }}
+      />
+
       {quota && (
         <div className="rounded border border-gray-700 bg-surface-light px-4 py-3 text-sm text-gray-300">
+          {watermarkStatusLabel() ? (
+            <p className="mb-2 font-medium text-white">{watermarkStatusLabel()}</p>
+          ) : null}
           {quota.selfHosted ? (
             <>
               Self-hosted · {quota.used} videos processed · up to {quota.maxBatchSize} files per
@@ -710,14 +790,28 @@ export function UploadForm() {
                 />
                 {!canCustomWatermark && (
                   <Checkbox
-                    label={`Show '${getVideoAttributionText()}' watermark (support open-source)`}
+                    label={
+                      !isPro &&
+                      (quota?.watermarkFreeRemaining ?? 0) <= 0 &&
+                      !quota?.selfHosted
+                        ? "Songs2VID watermark (required on Free after 2 clean renders)"
+                        : `Show '${getVideoAttributionText()}' watermark (support open-source)`
+                    }
                     checked={jobWatermark.mode !== "none"}
-                    onChange={(v) =>
+                    onChange={(v) => {
+                      if (
+                        !v &&
+                        !isPro &&
+                        !quota?.selfHosted &&
+                        (quota?.watermarkFreeRemaining ?? 0) <= 0
+                      ) {
+                        return;
+                      }
                       applyWatermarkToAll({
                         ...DEFAULT_WATERMARK,
                         mode: v ? "default" : "none",
-                      })
-                    }
+                      });
+                    }}
                   />
                 )}
               </div>
@@ -750,12 +844,13 @@ export function UploadForm() {
       {quota && !quota.selfHosted && quota.plan === "FREE" && (
         <>
           <p className="text-sm text-gray-400">
-            Free plan: one static cover image for the batch · optional Songs2VID watermark
-            (bottom-right only).
+            Free plan: first {FREE_UNWATERMARKED_VIDEO_LIMIT} successful videos are watermark-free;
+            later renders include a Songs2VID watermark (bottom-right). One static cover image per
+            batch.
           </p>
           <p className="text-sm text-gray-400">
-            <UpgradeProLink className="text-accent hover:underline" /> for custom branding, typography,
-            blurred art-track layouts, watermark positioning, unique image matching, 1080p, and
+            <UpgradeProLink className="text-accent hover:underline" /> for unwatermarked videos,
+            custom branding, typography, blurred art-track layouts, unique image matching, 1080p, and
             lossless audio.
           </p>
         </>
diff --git a/components/WatermarkPaywallModal.tsx b/components/WatermarkPaywallModal.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87cb3d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/WatermarkPaywallModal.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { UpgradeProButton } from "./UpgradeProButton";
+
+type Props = {
+  open: boolean;
+  onContinueWithWatermark: () => void;
+  onClose: () => void;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Shown when a free user who already used their 2 watermark-free videos
+ * starts another render.
+ */
+export function WatermarkPaywallModal({ open, onContinueWithWatermark, onClose }: Props) {
+  if (!open) return null;
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/70 p-4"
+      role="dialog"
+      aria-modal="true"
+      aria-labelledby="watermark-paywall-title"
+      onClick={onClose}
+    >
+      <div
+        className="w-full max-w-md rounded-lg border border-gray-700 bg-surface-light p-6 shadow-xl"
+        onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+      >
+        <h2 id="watermark-paywall-title" className="text-lg font-semibold text-white">
+          You&apos;ve used your 2 free watermark-free videos
+        </h2>
+        <p className="mt-3 text-sm leading-relaxed text-gray-300">
+          Subsequent videos in the Free tier will include a small Songs2VID watermark. Upgrade to Pro
+          for unwatermarked videos, 4K export, and priority rendering.
+        </p>
+        <div className="mt-6 flex flex-col gap-3 sm:flex-row sm:justify-end">
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            onClick={onContinueWithWatermark}
+            className="rounded border border-gray-600 px-4 py-2 text-sm text-gray-200 hover:border-gray-400 hover:text-white"
+          >
+            Continue with Watermark
+          </button>
+          <UpgradeProButton
+            label="Upgrade to Pro"
+            className="inline-flex items-center justify-center rounded bg-accent px-4 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-black hover:opacity-90"
+          />
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/deploy/songs2vid/Caddyfile b/deploy/songs2vid/Caddyfile
index c06b319..fcb0d56 100644
--- a/deploy/songs2vid/Caddyfile
+++ b/deploy/songs2vid/Caddyfile
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ docs.songs2vid.com {
 	encode gzip
 	root * /srv/docs
 	file_server
-	try_files {path} /index.html
+	try_files {path} {path}/ {path}/index.html /index.html
 }
 
 # Basic-auth hash is generated on the server (caddy hash-password).
diff --git a/lib/billing.ts b/lib/billing.ts
index c7fe2f7..84de9a1 100644
--- a/lib/billing.ts
+++ b/lib/billing.ts
@@ -211,6 +211,7 @@ export async function adminResetUserCredits(
     where: { id: userId },
     data: {
       plan,
+      subscriptionStatus: plan === "PREMIUM" ? "pro" : "free",
       monthlyCredits,
       videosUsed: used,
       extraCredits: cappedExtras,
@@ -245,6 +246,7 @@ export async function activateProPlan(
     where: { id: userId },
     data: {
       plan: "PREMIUM",
+      subscriptionStatus: "pro",
       subscribedAt: new Date(),
       ...(opts.stripeCustomerId !== undefined
         ? { stripeCustomerId: opts.stripeCustomerId }
@@ -267,6 +269,7 @@ export async function downgradeToFreePlan(userId: string) {
     where: { id: userId },
     data: {
       plan: "FREE",
+      subscriptionStatus: "free",
       stripeSubscriptionId: null,
       subscribedAt: null,
       cardLast4: null,
diff --git a/lib/ffmpeg/brand-watermark.ts b/lib/ffmpeg/brand-watermark.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d4bb21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/ffmpeg/brand-watermark.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/**
+ * Modular FFmpeg filter fragments for the Songs2VID brand watermark overlay.
+ * Always bottom-right with padding; scales to a fraction of frame width.
+ */
+export function buildBrandWatermarkOverlayFilters(options: {
+  baseLabel: string;
+  watermarkInputIndex: number;
+  watermarkWidthPx: number;
+  offsetX?: number;
+  offsetY?: number;
+  outLabel?: string;
+}): string[] {
+  const ox = options.offsetX ?? 20;
+  const oy = options.offsetY ?? 20;
+  const out = options.outLabel ?? "vout";
+  return [
+    `[${options.watermarkInputIndex}:v]scale=${options.watermarkWidthPx}:-1[wm]`,
+    `[${options.baseLabel}][wm]overlay=W-w-${ox}:H-h-${oy}[${out}]`,
+  ];
+}
diff --git a/lib/ffmpeg/encode.ts b/lib/ffmpeg/encode.ts
index 4b48f75..c55945b 100644
--- a/lib/ffmpeg/encode.ts
+++ b/lib/ffmpeg/encode.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import {
   sanitizeDrawtext,
   type WatermarkSettings,
 } from "../watermark";
+import { buildBrandWatermarkOverlayFilters } from "./brand-watermark";
 
 function getFfmpegPath(): string {
   if (process.env.FFMPEG_PATH) return process.env.FFMPEG_PATH;
@@ -217,10 +218,14 @@ export async function encodeVideo(options: {
     });
     filterParts.push(`[${baseLabel}]${draw}[vout]`);
   } else if (applyWm === "default-png" && defaultWmInputIndex !== null) {
-    const { x, y } = overlayXy(settings.position, settings.offsetX, settings.offsetY);
     filterParts.push(
-      `[${defaultWmInputIndex}:v]scale=${watermarkWidth}:-1[wm]`,
-      `[${baseLabel}][wm]overlay=${x}:${y}[vout]`,
+      ...buildBrandWatermarkOverlayFilters({
+        baseLabel,
+        watermarkInputIndex: defaultWmInputIndex,
+        watermarkWidthPx: watermarkWidth,
+        offsetX: settings.offsetX,
+        offsetY: settings.offsetY,
+      }),
     );
   } else if (applyWm === "default-text") {
     const draw = buildDrawtextFilter({
diff --git a/lib/jobs/create-job.ts b/lib/jobs/create-job.ts
index b90bbbb..2855290 100644
--- a/lib/jobs/create-job.ts
+++ b/lib/jobs/create-job.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ import {
   normalizeWatermarkSettings,
   WATERMARK_TEXT_MAX,
 } from "../watermark";
+import { applyBrandWatermarkPolicy } from "../watermark-policy";
 
 /** Merge nested + flat layout fields, then normalize (throws on bad template / coords). */
 export function resolveLayoutFromMetadata(metadata: ItemMetadata): LayoutSettings {
@@ -255,6 +256,12 @@ export async function createVideoJob(
     throw err;
   }
 
+  const dbUser = await prisma.user.findUnique({
+    where: { id: user.id },
+    select: { createdVideoCount: true },
+  });
+  const createdVideoCount = dbUser?.createdVideoCount ?? 0;
+
   const imagePath = assertPathInUserUploads(user.id, body.imagePath);
   const items = body.items.map((item) => ({
     ...item,
@@ -280,7 +287,7 @@ export async function createVideoJob(
         imagePath,
         items: {
           create: items.map((item, index) => {
-            const wm = normalizeWatermarkSettings(
+            const wm = applyBrandWatermarkPolicy(
               item.metadata.watermark
                 ? {
                     ...item.metadata.watermark,
@@ -289,6 +296,11 @@ export async function createVideoJob(
                   }
                 : null,
               item.metadata.includeWatermark,
+              {
+                plan: user.plan,
+                createdVideoCount,
+                itemIndex: index,
+              },
             );
             const layout = resolveLayoutFromMetadata(item.metadata);
             const pro = hasProFeatures(user.plan);
diff --git a/lib/legal/constants.ts b/lib/legal/constants.ts
index 3d53a08..736440e 100644
--- a/lib/legal/constants.ts
+++ b/lib/legal/constants.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { SUPPORT_EMAIL, SALES_EMAIL, QUOTA_REQUEST_EMAIL } from "@/lib/plans";
 import { BRAND_DOMAIN, BRAND_NAME } from "@/lib/branding";
 
-export const LEGAL_LAST_UPDATED = "July 30, 2026";
+export const LEGAL_LAST_UPDATED = "August 3, 2026";
 
 export const LEGAL_OPERATOR = {
   name: BRAND_NAME,
diff --git a/lib/quota.ts b/lib/quota.ts
index 918cd7b..2167b0d 100644
--- a/lib/quota.ts
+++ b/lib/quota.ts
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ import {
 } from "./billing";
 import { FREE_EXTRA_CREDITS_MAX, MAX_CREDIT_CAP, PRO_UPGRADE_REQUIRED_SUFFIX, monthlyCreditsForPlan } from "./credits";
 import { prisma } from "./db";
-import { isSelfHostedEdition } from "./edition";
+import { hasProFeatures, isSelfHostedEdition } from "./edition";
 import { getNextMonthlyQuotaReset, getPlanLimits } from "./plans";
+import { watermarkFreeRendersRemaining } from "./watermark-policy";
 
 export function formatQuotaResetCountdown(resetsAt: Date | string): string {
   const target = typeof resetsAt === "string" ? new Date(resetsAt) : resetsAt;
@@ -106,6 +107,11 @@ export async function getQuotaInfo(userId: string) {
     resetsAt: user.quotaResetAt.toISOString(),
     resetsIn: formatQuotaResetDisplay(user.plan, user.quotaResetAt),
     plan: user.plan,
+    subscriptionStatus: hasProFeatures(user.plan) ? ("pro" as const) : ("free" as const),
+    createdVideoCount: user.createdVideoCount,
+    watermarkFreeRemaining: hasProFeatures(user.plan)
+      ? null
+      : watermarkFreeRendersRemaining(user.createdVideoCount),
     maxBatchSize: limits.maxBatchSize,
     watermarkOptional: limits.watermarkOptional,
     customWatermark: limits.customWatermark,
diff --git a/lib/storage.ts b/lib/storage.ts
index ed4461b..e9dd89d 100644
--- a/lib/storage.ts
+++ b/lib/storage.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import path from "path";
+import { WATERMARK_FILE_PATH } from "./watermark-policy";
 
 export function getUploadDir(): string {
   return process.env.UPLOAD_DIR || path.join(process.cwd(), "uploads");
@@ -8,6 +9,9 @@ export function getJobDir(userId: string, jobId: string): string {
   return path.join(getUploadDir(), userId, jobId);
 }
 
+/** Brand watermark PNG used by the default overlay pipeline. */
 export function getWatermarkPath(): string {
-  return path.join(process.cwd(), "assets", "watermark.png");
+  return process.env.WATERMARK_FILE_PATH?.trim() || WATERMARK_FILE_PATH;
 }
+
+export { WATERMARK_FILE_PATH };
diff --git a/lib/watermark-policy.ts b/lib/watermark-policy.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..76f1611
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/watermark-policy.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+import path from "path";
+import type { Plan } from "@prisma/client";
+import { hasProFeatures } from "./edition";
+import {
+  DEFAULT_WATERMARK,
+  normalizeWatermarkSettings,
+  type WatermarkSettings,
+} from "./watermark";
+
+/** Free users get this many lifetime watermark-free successful videos. */
+export const FREE_UNWATERMARKED_VIDEO_LIMIT = 2;
+
+export type SubscriptionStatusLabel = "free" | "pro";
+
+export function subscriptionStatusFromPlan(plan: Plan): SubscriptionStatusLabel {
+  return hasProFeatures(plan) ? "pro" : "free";
+}
+
+/**
+ * Whether the Songs2VID brand watermark must be applied for this render slot.
+ * Pro / self-hosted: never forced. Free: forced after FREE_UNWATERMARKED_VIDEO_LIMIT.
+ */
+export function shouldApplyBrandWatermark(options: {
+  plan: Plan;
+  createdVideoCount: number;
+  /** 0-based index within the current batch (accounts for multi-file jobs). */
+  itemIndex?: number;
+}): boolean {
+  if (hasProFeatures(options.plan)) return false;
+  const slot = options.createdVideoCount + (options.itemIndex ?? 0);
+  return slot >= FREE_UNWATERMARKED_VIDEO_LIMIT;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Apply free/pro brand-watermark policy to normalized settings.
+ * - Pro: strip default brand watermark (custom text/logo kept).
+ * - Free under limit: force mode `none`.
+ * - Free at/over limit: force default brand overlay (bottom-right).
+ */
+export function applyBrandWatermarkPolicy(
+  input: Partial<WatermarkSettings> | null | undefined,
+  includeWatermarkFallback: boolean,
+  options: {
+    plan: Plan;
+    createdVideoCount: number;
+    itemIndex?: number;
+  },
+): WatermarkSettings {
+  const base = normalizeWatermarkSettings(input, includeWatermarkFallback);
+
+  if (hasProFeatures(options.plan)) {
+    if (base.mode === "default") {
+      return { ...base, mode: "none" };
+    }
+    return base;
+  }
+
+  if (shouldApplyBrandWatermark(options)) {
+    return {
+      ...DEFAULT_WATERMARK,
+      mode: "default",
+      position: "bottom-right",
+      offsetX: 20,
+      offsetY: 20,
+    };
+  }
+
+  return {
+    ...base,
+    mode: "none",
+  };
+}
+
+export function watermarkFreeRendersRemaining(createdVideoCount: number): number {
+  return Math.max(0, FREE_UNWATERMARKED_VIDEO_LIMIT - createdVideoCount);
+}
+
+/** Absolute path to the Songs2VID brand watermark asset (PNG). */
+export const WATERMARK_FILE_PATH = path.join(process.cwd(), "assets", "watermark.png");
diff --git a/prisma/migrations/20260803060000_add_created_video_count/migration.sql b/prisma/migrations/20260803060000_add_created_video_count/migration.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9c2854
--- /dev/null
+++ b/prisma/migrations/20260803060000_add_created_video_count/migration.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+-- AlterEnum
+CREATE TYPE "SubscriptionStatus" AS ENUM ('free', 'pro');
+
+-- AlterTable
+ALTER TABLE "User" ADD COLUMN "subscriptionStatus" "SubscriptionStatus" NOT NULL DEFAULT 'free';
+ALTER TABLE "User" ADD COLUMN "createdVideoCount" INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0;
+
+-- Backfill from existing Plan
+UPDATE "User" SET "subscriptionStatus" = 'pro' WHERE "plan" = 'PREMIUM';
+UPDATE "User" SET "subscriptionStatus" = 'free' WHERE "plan" = 'FREE';
diff --git a/prisma/schema.prisma b/prisma/schema.prisma
index 5fba060..db0b344 100644
--- a/prisma/schema.prisma
+++ b/prisma/schema.prisma
@@ -12,6 +12,12 @@ enum Plan {
   PREMIUM
 }
 
+/// Public-facing subscription tier (kept in sync with `plan`: FREE→free, PREMIUM→pro)
+enum SubscriptionStatus {
+  free
+  pro
+}
+
 enum Privacy {
   PUBLIC
   PRIVATE
@@ -52,6 +58,10 @@ model User {
   image                   String?
   /// FREE = free tier; PREMIUM = Pro (€5/mo, formerly starter_5eur)
   plan                    Plan                     @default(FREE)
+  /// Mirrors plan for product/UI (`free` | `pro`). Prefer `plan` for entitlements.
+  subscriptionStatus      SubscriptionStatus       @default(free)
+  /// Lifetime count of successfully completed video renders (not monthly quota).
+  createdVideoCount       Int                      @default(0)
   /// Credits consumed in the current billing cycle (credits_used)
   videosUsed              Int                      @default(0)
   /// Monthly allocation for the current cycle (10 free / 50 pro)
diff --git a/worker/index.ts b/worker/index.ts
index c57c9a9..c60d08a 100644
--- a/worker/index.ts
+++ b/worker/index.ts
@@ -128,7 +128,12 @@ async function processJobItem(data: VideoJobData) {
       },
     });
 
-    // Quota was reserved at job creation; do not increment again on success.
+    // Lifetime successful renders only (not monthly quota — that was reserved at create).
+    await prisma.user.update({
+      where: { id: data.userId },
+      data: { createdVideoCount: { increment: 1 } },
+    });
+
     await cleanupFiles([outputPath]);
   } catch (err) {
     const message = formatYouTubeErrorForUser(err);