Soulmate Gem
Photo by Max Vakhtbovych Pexels Logo Photo: Max Vakhtbovych

How do you avoid copyright in art?

If you edit an image that you didn't create, copyright law still applies. The only way to avoid copyright infringement with images is to create unique works, purchase a license to use an image or find a free-to-use image.

Does intense eye contact mean love?
Does intense eye contact mean love?

When a guy stares into your eyes and doesn't look away, he may be trying to size you up. Intently staring can be a good thing and might mean that...

Read More »
Can lovers hold eye contact?
Can lovers hold eye contact?

Being able to make eye contact is an important life skill in general, but it's also very important in your romantic relationships. Making eye...

Read More »

How to avoid copyright infringement with images

Have you ever searched for the perfect image only to be frustrated by watermarks? Perhaps you've been unlucky enough to be stung with a copyright notice after using something you didn't have permission to use.

What are copyrighted images?

Copyright law is designed to protect people's work and stop others from using it without permission. Laws around copyright are different from country to country. For example, in the US, although copyright applies automatically in theory, registering copyright is required before an infringement suit can be brought. That registration is handled by the United States Copyright Office. In the UK, this protection applies automatically without the need for registration. There's no application process or payment required, and as a result there's no register of copyrighted works. Some creators make their works freely available, while others may sell them or allow them to be recreated for a fee. Copyrighted images are photographs or digitally created images where the creator has restricted their use.

How do I know if an image is copyrighted?

Here are five ways you can check.

1. Is there an image credit?

If you're considering taking an image from another website, look for a caption that might include an image credit, link or contact email address. If there is one, reach out to the owner and ask for permission to use the image.

2. Is there a watermark?

If there's a faint watermark across the image, that means it's copyrighted.

Usually watermarks will be repeated multiple times across the image so are hard to miss (and make them unsuitable for use anyway), but look carefully in case it's not been made obvious.

3. Check the metadata

Metadata refers to the digital information that's stored within the image file. This metadata will often store info related to the image's copyright. To view a file's metadata in Windows, first right-click on the image and select 'Properties', and then click on the 'Details' tab.

Where did Jesus's soul go?
Where did Jesus's soul go?

At death his Spirit went to the Father in heaven, and then returned to be clothed in the resurrection body, in which he appeared to the disciples...

Read More »
How many kills did the zodiac?
How many kills did the zodiac?

While the investigators agree on 7 confirmed victims (two of whom survived), the Zodiac has taken responsibility for no less than 37 murders. Some...

Read More »

To view the metadata in macOS click on 'Tools' when viewing the image in Preview, then 'Show Inspector', and then the 'i' icon. Finally, click on the 'EXIF' tab.

4. Do a Google reverse image search

If you're not sure where an image came from, try running a reverse image search on Google. You can either enter the image's URL or upload a file saved to your local machine. You'll find everwhere that image is located on the internet, and hopefully get to the bottom of who owns it and whether it's free to use.

5. Still not sure? Don't use it.

Using copyrighted images can lead to awkward conversations with creators and ultimately lead to legal action, so our advice is, if you're not sure if you have permission from the copyright holder, don't use it and find another one.

Can I edit images to avoid copyright infringement?

If you edit an image that you didn't create, copyright law still applies. The only way to avoid copyright infringement with images is to create unique works, purchase a license to use an image or find a free-to-use image.

3 free stock image websites

Fortunately, there are a number of websites that offer access to free images that have no license restrictions. Here are three of the best.

1. Unsplash

One of our go-to stock image websites for free-to-use imagery is Unsplash. Their tagline is 'reinventing the stock photo', and state that they only accept 'the finest quality images'. Conduct a keyword-based search or browse by category and you'll discover a huge selection of free stock images, as well as premium images available via iStock (with 20% off).

2. Burst

What to do when you can t stop thinking about someone?
What to do when you can t stop thinking about someone?

Maybe you love someone who doesn't feel the same way — or someone who loves you, but caused you great pain. ... Find a positive distraction Pick up...

Read More »
Can a person realize they are a narcissist?
Can a person realize they are a narcissist?

Key points. Narcissists are fully aware that they are narcissistic and have a reputation as such. Narcissists would rather be admired than liked....

Read More »

Created by Shopify and intended for entrepreneurs, Burst offers another great collection of free, high-resolution stock images. Browse by collections, including 'Animals', 'Nature' and 'City', or via their 'Business Ideas' section. There are 26 business idea categories in total, and while niche, will provide perfect stock images if your small business idea is covered.

3. Pixabay

Boasting over 2.5 million free images, Pixabay offers visual content from a wide range of categories - including photos, vector graphics and illustrations - but they also provide royalty free sound effects too. You can browse their free sound database by length or audio as well as eight categories, including nature, city, technology and even horror.

How a Digital Asset Management system helps to manage copyright

Although free images don't require any copyright management, it's likely that your organisation is using images with usage restrictions to some degree. However, managing this copyright can be tricky, especially if your digital asset library extends to hundreds - or even thousands - of images.

A Digital Asset Management system, such as ResourceSpace, makes this process simple.

Our License Manager allows you to quickly and easily create specific licenses, and associate them with one or more resources. This can be managed on an individual asset level, or for multiple resources at once. The benefit of using a DAM like ResourceSpace for license management is that it keeps everything all in one place, so there's no need to search through multiple folders for the related files. Want to find out more about how ResourceSpace solves the copyright management process and helps you to avoid copyright infringement with images? Click here.

Who was God angry with?
Who was God angry with?

Pharaoh aroused God's anger after oppressing Israel and refusing to listen ten times. God's anger was an act of judgment on Pharaoh and his armies....

Read More »
What is the meaning of 143 44?
What is the meaning of 143 44?

14344 means ""I Love You Very Much."" The number 14344 is a numeronym representing the number of letters in each word of the phrase ""I love you...

Read More »
What is the last stage of life called?
What is the last stage of life called?

active dying The final phase of the dying process is known as active dying. This follows the early and middle stages of dying and marks the...

Read More »
Will my twin flame always be in my life?
Will my twin flame always be in my life?

Twin flames might come along right as you need them, and step into your life in a time of great conflict or great change, and can help you ease the...

Read More »