6 Tips for Legally Using Images

FROM THE OFFICES OF LESLEY ELLEN HARRIS
Copyright, New Media Law & E-Commerce News

25 April 2016
ISSN 1489-954X

Are You Legally Using Images?

We are all using images more than ever, whether in our presentations, blog, or on FaceBook, but how often are we considering whether we need permission to use those images? Below are 6 essential considerations prior to using any photographs, tables, illustrations and other images.

6 Tips for Legally Using Images

1. Start with the assumption that all images are protected by copyright.
 This includes images that are found through a Google search. See Copyright Law + Using Photos and Images from Google.

2. Copyright-wise, it is always less risky to link to a photo or other image than it is to copy and paste that image onto your website or social media platform.


3. When possible, use photos that you have taken yourself. Unless you are employed and are taking photos as part of your job, you own the copyright in your own photos. (Don't forget to obtain a model release from any persons in your photographs. This is not a copyright issue but is a privacy/publicity issue.)

4. Use and re-use images which have a Creative Commons (CC) license. However, be aware that a CC license is just that: a license. You will need to read the terms and conditions of the license and see what is allowed or not.
 Not all CC licenses allow the same uses. A CC license may allow use as-is, or in a remix or as part of a new work, and in most cases requires attribution of the copyright owner.

5. Purchase images from stock photo agencies and follow the license terms; you are not outright buying the image from a stock agency but are paying for certain uses of the image. Read the specific terms and conditions (to which supposedly you have agreed.) For example, you may be able to post the image on your website but you may require additional permission (and make additional payment) to use the image on the front cover of a print book.

6. When you seek permission from the copyright owner of an image, always ask first if they actually own the copyright in the image. The image's creator may have assigned their rights to someone else, or the photographs or other images may have been created at work as part of their work duties. In these latter cases, the photographers or other image creators do not have the right to provide you with permission to the use their work.

For further practical information on copyright, see Copyright Resources.

Copyright, New Media & E-Commerce News is distributed for free by Lesley Ellen Harris, www.copyrightlaws.com. Information contained herein should not be relied upon or considered as legal advice. Copyright 2016 Lesley Ellen Harris. Please share!