Finding and Using Public Domain and Royalty Free Images and Clip Art Pictures
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Important Information about Royalty Free and Public Domain Image Rights
This page was written to help you navigate the copyright maze and to explain some of the technicalities you need to be aware of when using "Free" photos, illustrations, clip art, and other images you may find when looking for pictures to enhance your squidoo page or other site.
I am not a lawyer and this page does not constitute legal advice. It is simply a summary of what I have learned and believe to be accurate about the issues addressed herein. I suggest you see the U.S. Copyright Office website or your country's equivalent for detailed information about relevant copyright law.
Photo (above) is reproduced under a Royalty Free license.
© Gilessmilesphoto | Dreamstime.com
Misconception #1
Royalty Free Does NOT Mean You Are Free to Use An Image However
& For Whatever Purpose You WIsh
What Does Royalty Free Mean?
(Hint: It does Not Mean Copyright-Free)
Royalty Free means only that you can use the images AS PER TERMS OF USAGE without paying royalties to the creators or copyright owners of the images. Royalty Free grants a single user a license to use an image according to the terms you agree to prior to copying or downloading the image.Royalty Free means a limited license is available for certain uses of an image. Royalty Free images are copyrighted.
This is not the same as a free, no-cost image. There are costs, monetary or otherwise, associated with the use of royalty-free images. You will usually have to pay a relatively small one-time fee for limited rights to use an image. (The creator or publisher retains the copyright.)
That is, the ways you can use the image legally are restricted. You must read the terms of use on the site where the image is listed to determine what and how you are allowed to use the image. Some images may be Royalty Free only for Personal use and may not be used for commercial purposes, which means you can't use them on Squidoo. Other images are Royalty Free only if used for educational purposes.
If you want to use an image for purposes not covered in the Royalty Free agreement, you usually can purchase additional rights, but the cost increases accordingly.
Some sites offer Royalty Free licenses to use certain images without charging a monetary fee. Instead they require certain wording and at least one link be used with the image whenever and wherever you use it. Again, your rights to use it are limited by the terms of usage agreement.
You MUST read the fine print before using any Royalty Free image to be sure you are in compliance with the owner or publisher's rules of use.
(The artwork in this module was created by us and is neither public domain nor royalty free, although we did use a public domain crown image. We created the colors and the rest of the graphic and we are allowed to then copyright it in this altered form.)
© 2011 Restoration Fabrics and Trims LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Misconception #2
If an Image appears on a public website, it is in the Public Domain.
Public Does Not = Public Domain
To make things more confusing, a © followed by a name and date does not mean it is still under copyright. Copyrights do expire and then the work may enter into the public domain. (More about that later.)
Similarly, getting permission to use an image you find on someone else's site will not protect you from plagiarism unless they are the creator and/or publisher and copyright holder of the original or unless the work truly is in the public domain. But don't take their word for it. Just because someone says an image is in the public domain does not mean it is.
Yes. It is confusing and complicated. We're writing this to demystify some of the peripatetic verbiage of copyright law and make it easier to understand than the wording we just used, and to use it to your advantage
FYI: The royalty free image in this module is used under a free (no-cost) license but may not be reproduced without permission from Dreamstime.com.
Picture credit: © Andrey Polichenko | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Did You Know?
Most pictures you find on Google, Yahoo, Bing or through other image search engines are copyrighted and may NOT be used on Squidoo lenses or anywhere else without the express permission of the © owner
What is "Public Domain"?
The public domain is not a place. A work of authorship is in the "public domain"
if it is no longer under copyright protection or if it failed to meet the requirements for copyright protection. Works in the public domain may be used freely without the permission of the former copyright owner.
The following sections will discuss more about public domain images including where to find them.
We also recommend you see Cornell University's video by Peter Hirtle
that explains about public domain in detail. You can find it here.
Misconception #3
Pictures of works of art or other items in museums are in the public domain.
Maybe but Probably Not
Don't Make Assumptions - Find Out
No matter how old or famous a work of art is, the fact that it is on display to the public in a museum or elsewhere does not place it in the public domain. Exhibiting a picture or putting a sculpture in a public square does not mean it is in the public domain. Public Domain is not about location or access. It is about copyright law. It means that a particular work is not protected by copyright.
You can Find out how to research copyright status by downloading circular 22 at the U.S. Copyright Office Publications Page.
While many works in museums are in the public domain, a museum or photographer may own the copyright to a photo or other image of a painting, sculpture, or similar item. In that case a license is required to use the photo of the item. This also applies to digital photos found on museum and other websites. In addition, some countries have monuments, statues and certain buildings protected by copyright, not just pictures of them so even if you take a picture of, for example, Australia's Sydney Opera House (which is actually both copyrighted and tradmarked), you may not be able to use it without a license to do so.
One safe (and Profitable) way around this is to become an affiliate at allposters.com, which will allow you to use their images in your lenses as I did in this module, as well as
earn a commission on sales generated by the link to them. (More info in next section.)
For example: The image I used in this module is the the most popular fine art image on AllPosters.com. I am permitted to use it because I am an AllPosters affiliate and I am providing an affiliate link here saying that:
The above painting is The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night, c.1888 by Vincent Van Gogh. It is available in several sizes and formats at AllPosters.comYou Too Can Become An AllPosters.com Affiliate!
& Gain access to hundred of thousands of Free images
And watch your lens traffic soar!It's Free and Easy to Join. Apply through this link and your application will automatically be approved.
Join the AllPosters.com Affiliates Program and get access to hundred of thousands of images for your site. AllPosters.com has images from popular movies, music groups, sports teams, fine art, and much more. Adding these images to your site will enhance your content.
Furthermore, you get paid for improving your site with poster/print images! All of the images you use will link to AllPosters.com where your site visitors can make purchases. When they buy something, AllPosters.com pays you 20% of the sale. If the visitor decides to purchase within 10 days of their last visit from your website, you'll still earn commission on the sale! It's easy to sign-up, build links, and track your sales.
What are you waiting for? Sign up today!
(Don't worry about losing your place here. Page will open in a new window.)
The artwork used in this module is a free and copyright free public domain image from my personal collection. It is in the publc domain because it was published prior to 1923. (Scroll down or click link for more information.)
Misconception #4
If an image does not have
a © notice it is okay to use it
An image is copyrighted by default
Misconception #5
If an item or its source is out-of-print, it is not under copyright protection.
Out of Print Work May Still Be Copyrighted
Misconception #6
If an item has a © symbol, it is protected by copyright.
Unlike a Diamond, A Copyright is Not Forever
Copyrights are granted for a limited amount of time. The length of copyright protection varies from item to item, country to country, date of initial publication and with revisions of relevant laws.According to The United States Copyright Office, works created after 1978 are copyright protected for the life of the author plus 70 years. If a work is anonymous, made for hire, or created under a pseudonym,"the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of
its creation, whichever expires first."
Image © 2006 ChicChat. Used with Permission.
“Only 1 thing is impossible for God: To find any sense in any copyright law on the planet. --M. Twain”
For works first published prior to 1978, it is more complicated. In general, works published in the U.S. prior to 1923, when copyright law was instituted, are in the public domain. Foreign works published before 1909 are in the public domain. Foreign works with copyright notices that were published between 1909 and 1923 are in the public domain.
Work published in the U.S. after 1922 but before 1964 may or may not be in the public domain depending on whether the initial copyright term of 28 years that applied then was renewed or not. If the © was not renewed during the 28th year from date of publication or obtaining copyright protection, the work falls into the public domain.
Work published in the U.S. after 1922 and before March 1, 1989 that was, published without © with the owner's permission is in the pubiic domain unless the law provides an exception for the omission.
An individual may also declare their work to be copyright free and waive her or his copyright protections, which puts the work in the public domain. (See An Image is Copyrighted by Default.)
That is less frequently done today as free licenses have become more widely available. These licenses allow creators to retain their copyright and be recognized for their work and provide liberal terms under which others may use that work, while protecting them from liability.
This Page Was Awarded
The Prestigious Purple Star
on May 20th 2012
About Free License Images
Free License Images
Are Not Public Domain
You will probably encounter Free License Images most frequently on Squidoo via Creative Commons, although there are others. Creative Commons is a non-profit organization that lets contributors choose from six different licenses, which then determines how the public is allowed to use that work and if/how it must be credited. If you want to use a Creative Commons image on Squidoo, its license must specify commercial use. The creator retains the copyright but provides for limited rights usage. Unlike Public Domain works, licensed work is not copyright free.
The photo used in this module is under Creative Commons License and was found by using the Flickr Search (advanced search) for "Free AND Sign" at Creative Commons. The code for the first line of the credit was provided on the site. I added the additional information as per Creative Commons instructions. (See Learn how to Properly Credit Images on Squidoo.)
Photo Credit: Free Snow (sign) by Wesley Fryer, on Flickr.
Reproduced under Creative Commons License 2.0. Some rights reserved.
Again, it is most important that you read the details for using each image you find
as requirements vary for allowable use, including where and how you may use
an image and how it must be credited and/or linked.
For More About Using Creative Commons Images
And Where to Find Them
Lots more to come, but if you're liking this lens, please give it a thumbs up
This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.
Learn More About Intellectual Property Rights
Learn How to Properly Credit Pictures on Squidoo
Important Unsolicited Advice About Images
I strongly suggest that if you find any images that contain a logo or recognizable product
(such as a can of Coke or Pepsi) that you avoid using it as you may run into problems if it is trademarked.
Coke or Pepsi?
Coke
pyngthyngs says:
Coke
YayasHome says:
There is no contest between Coke and Pepsi. Coke will always be the leader in this department.
Centavo says:
Diet Coke, but really prefer Diet Sprite or Diet 7-up! The UnCola!
designsbyharriet says:
Diet Coke
TheCheshireCat says:
(Diet) Coke
Pepsi
skiesgreen says:
Don't use either as I value my health.
DeniseClarke says:
Actually I like plain soda water best, LOL!
goo2eyes says:
i like pepsi but coke is monopolizing the market here so i have to drink coke all the time. on the plane, i ask for pepsil
cffutah says:
Pepsi beats out Coke to me but Diet Coke beats out Diet Pepsi.
bloomingrose says:
And with real sugar. Aspartame is carcinogenic. Although it probably has high fructose corn syrup - oh heck, maybe I'll just drink iced tea after all!
Ok. So What Other Images Can I Use?
And Where Can I Find Them?
There are many sources of Public Domain as well as Royalty Free images. We've already mentioned a few, but there are many more.
Government works created by a U.S. Federal Government employee as part of their official duties are public domain. Searachable data bases can be found at NIX (The NASA image exchange), NARA (National Archives and Records Administration), and the Library of Congress American Memory Project.
Not all images found on government sites, including those just mentioned, are public domain, but if there are any copyright restrictions on an image they are clearly posted.
NOTE: The Smithsonian Institute, National Gallery of Art, and U.S. Postal Service are not sole government agencies and their images are not automatically public domain. There are also restrictions on the use of U.S. Government seals, logos, currency, and symbols.
Above image is "Pandora's Cluster - Clash of the Titans" via the Hubble Space Telescope. Image has been placed in the public domain by NASA.
You Can Also Find Free Images to Use at These Sites
But be sure to read the license agreement first!
MorgueFile for superb high resolution digital photos and reference images that are free to use even for most commercial purposes.
Public Domain Photos states that all photos and clip art offered on the site are in the public domain and may be used for commercial purposes.
Remember
You are responsible for anything included in your lenses so be sure to check license contracts and terms of use for each and every picture you want to use and for every site you find them on. If you are not sure, it's better to err on the side of prudence and find an image you are sure about.
For More Royalty Free Art
No-Cost, Low-Cost, and Other Options
Consider using stock images. Stock image sites offer professional high-quality high-resolution images that will look good in any size. You can find free images and images under $1.00, but if you are willing to pay a dollar or two more there are exponentially more options. I find that using stock photos is a huge time saver because it is faster and easier to find exactly what you are looking for than on some other free and public domain sites. This is because most "free" only sites do not have as many search options (such as horizontal vs vertical images) and may yield randomized results in response to your query.
You'll also have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are using an image legally. No worries if it is public domain or not. For a buck or two, that beats having your lens shut down or getting a letter demanding retribution for copyright infringement. It doesn't matter if it was intentional or inadvertent. You are still responsible for the content you use.
As an added bonus, if you purchase the rights to use an image from a stock photo site, you are far less likely to see it being used by someone else. Free images are fine but stock images are almost always much better quality and far less ubiquitous. You'll also have more pictures to choose from and your image will be more exclusive, which means, for example, that you probably won't see an image you purchased rights to use for on a bunch of other lenses.
You can also download freebies from Dreamstime, another great stock photo
and illustration site. Registration is free and they are one of the most affordable
if you want to purchase a royalty-free license to download and use artwork
or photos from them, with many pictures available at just 1 to 3 credits.
Find Pictures & Image Resources Right Here on Squidoo
Just BE CAREFUL. There are a few of the many squidoo lenses about art you can supposedly use for free that include sources for only non-commercial use (which means you CANNOT use them on squidoo) and that have links that can be misleading.
For example, some lenses include historical stock photos as a source of free pictures to use on your lenses. However, historicalstockphotos.com specifies free images for personal use, not commercial use, so photos obtained from such pages should not be used on squidoo lenses.
I strongly recommend that you Read Bonnie Diczhazy's informative page about Finding Great Images for Your Intro Module at Squid Headquarters first. Then check out the following:
Copyright Free Public Domain Art Collections
That Are Economical and Reputable
The books and discs published by Dover have an excellent reputation and you can use the images they provide with confidence. Most of their books now come with electronic versions of the artwork in addition to the printed version, which makes them easier than ever to use. If a CD is not available, you can scan the images to use them on squidoo.
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Special thanks to Steve at tagsforkids for the Squid Art used in this module.
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Millionairemomma
May 22, 2012 @ 12:40 am | delete
- These are excellent tips!
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Inthepresentation
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Creative Commons
CREATIVE COMMONS: A USER GUIDE
Amazon Price: $10.57 (as of 05/31/2012)
A basic guide for all who are interested in the opencontent and copyleft world. Fittingly, this book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license.
One of the most useful tools
a lensmaster should have
The Public Domain: How to Find and Use Copyright-Free Writings, Music, Art & More
Amazon Price: $9.25 (as of 05/31/2012)
