How to Identify the Copyright Source of an Image?
The internet is flooded with lovely images, but using one without permission can have
significant legal and financial consequences. Whenever you use a picture, double-check its
copyright information, such as: who owns the copyright in an image? Ask the owner whether
you're permitted to use it and what are the restrictions? You may be able to use the Image under
a license, which requires you to give explicit information about the owner of the Image.
However, you may need assistance in determining who owns the copyright to first ask them for
permission to use the Image. You've come to the correct place for expert advice.
What is the best way to check an image's copyright?
The first stage is to determine who owns a picture, which may be done in various methods. Here
are some principles for deciding whether or not an image is copyrighted:
1. Look for credit or contact information for the photograph.
Look for a caption that includes the name of the picture creator or copyright owner if you
encounter an image online. An email address or a link to the image owner's website may also be
included. You can contact the picture owner using this information to seek permission to use
their Image by purchasing a licence or agreeing to usage conditions.
2. Check for a watermark on the Image.
A copyrighted image will have a watermark on it. Often, the watermark will include wording
that identifies the person or corporation who owns the Image: do some research. It would be best
if you never tried to remove the Image's watermark using the software. It shows a clear and
deliberate intent to infringe on copyright – evidence that will undoubtedly be used against you in
court.
3. Take a look at the Image's information.
Some picture makers include critical information about their photographs in the description of
the file—Right-click on the Image and select "Properties" on Windows. When you open it in
Preview on macOS, go to the menu and select "Tools," then "Show Inspector," and then the I
icon. The "EXIF" tab may be found there. Often, the name of the copyright owner and a
complete copyright notice may be found here.
4. Conduct a reverse image search on Google.
If you're unable to find who the owner of an image is, Google's reverse image search might help.
Open Google Image Search, click the camera icon, search for the Image's URL or paste the
Image to discover where it may be found elsewhere online. You should be able to figure out who
owns what Image based on Google's conclusions.
5. Not sure about Copyright Owner, don't use it
Copyright holders frequently keep a close eye on situations of unlawful usage of their work. If
you've gone through all of the above processes and still can't properly verify the Image's source
or identify the copyright owner, don't use it. Several high-quality picture banks provide a simple
method to access and use photographs for various purposes and budgets. Infringing copyright is
just unacceptable, and the repercussions might be costly and unpleasant.
Is it possible to use photographs without permission?
Finally, a most often asked question about whether or not photographs can be used without
authorization?
Without authorization, images can only be used in the following situations:
1. If Image can be used freely
You may use the Image without seeking permission if the Image's owner has explicitly declared
that the Image can be used without restriction.
2. If the Image in the Public Domain
The Image is not subject to copyright if it is in the public domain (i.e., the work owner died or
relinquished all rights to it). The Getty Search Gateway, for example, has 4,600 works of art
from the Getty Museum's collection that are free to use for both commercial and non-commercial
uses, but only with acknowledgement.
3. Image Licensed under Creative Commons
Suppose the Image is licenced under a Creative Commons (CC) licence (It is a licence is one of
several publicly available copyright licenses that allows for the free dissemination of otherwise
protected "works"). When an author wants others to share, utilize, and build on his or her work,
he or she uses a Creative Commons licence. You must carefully review the terms and restrictions
of the proper usage. For example, the CC0 licence places the work in the public domain, whereas
the CC BY-ND licence allows you to use a picture with proper credit but not any changes to the
original.
In all the circumstances mentioned above, you must be certain that you have all of the required
information to securely utilize the Image (and if you need to give credit, which we also
recommend for you to do). If you have any doubts, it's best to contact the picture owner as soon
as possible. If you want to learn more about copyright and utilize images correctly, call HHS
Lawyers & Legal Consultants now.
