Web images copyright information

Photo: ©SXC.hu/lusi

Finding images to use on your website is not as easy as you may think. As with music, images are protected by law and unless you have the correct licenses or permissions, arbitrary downloading is illegal. Using images, especially stock images or vector graphics, can be confusing issue.

The good news is if you know the laws and the terminology, there is a way to have images on your website by either purchasing the correct ones or using a photographer.

Photo: ©SXC.hu/code1name

Copyright Laws
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) basically amends Title 17 of the United States Code to extend the reach of copyright infringement to the internet.

Title 17 of the United States Code outlines United States Copyright Law. Copyright laws regulate intellectual work created by photographers, artists, illustrators, writers, musicians and other creative individuals.

Photo: ©SXC.hu/Niloco

Image Licensing
The different types of image licensing out there can be confusing. It is important to pay attention to the fine print when purchasing an image. Here are a few types of licenses.

Royalty-Free – The common misconception is that Royalty-Free means they are free. Royalty-Free means there is a one-time usage fee once a license is purchased legally.

Rights-Managed – This means a license to use is purchased with limitations. If you want more freedom of use, you must pay a higher fee.

Creative Commons – This type of license is usually free with some noted restrictions. It is best to read the fine print on those restrictions such as attribution, noncommercial use and use of a modified version.

Find out the origin of your images
It is a good idea to research any laws once you step into the realm of using images you don’t own. Whether you use stock images or your own photographer, you must have the necessary licenses and/or permissions from the stock image company, photographer or image subject. If you use that as a rule of thumb, it should save you a lot of trouble. This includes images given to you or included in design templates. Make sure you view the licenses yourself. If you don’t know where the images came from, don’t use them.