Can you use Istock pictures for ebooks?

[yourreviewer]

Hello folks,
I am currently writing an ebook and I need a few images for the ebook. Because ebooks are downloaded again and again, would I be violating any terms and conditions by using their images on my ebook. Have any of you used Istock photos for ebooks? Please confirm.

Thanks,
Dan

[epicbob]

When you but from istock you own them completely and can do whatever you want.

[Justin Mandel]

This is flat out...WRONG...and is *bad* information so listen to it only if you want to

You need to know what rights you are buying when you invest in stock photography.

There are all different kinds of rights and for that $1 you pay per iStock photo you get *limited* rights.

If you want for example to later on down the line sell your eBook as MRR/PLR then the rights you are purchasing for that $1 can land you in hot water since you are not inheriting rights to do that with.

I would investigate 123 Royalty Free - Stock Image and Photo Subscription since they seem to have broader rights when you purchase which can go a longer way if you change your business model down the line.

The Bottom Line: Each time you buy stock photography from any site you need to know what rights you get with that purchase and what the limitations to those rights are.

Originally Posted by epicbob

When you but from istock you own them completely and can do whatever you want.

[affenpinscher]

Here's the license agreement from Istock:

iStockphoto License Agreement | iStockphoto.com

You get a royalty free license to use them which includes use in an ebook.

What you can't do is resell them as pictures. In other words, you can't download
photos and put them on a CD and then sell the CD of photos.

[Jesus Perez]

You can pull this off with BigStockPhoto and Fotolia. With iStock you'll need extended licensing.

[yourreviewer]

Oh I see. I have contacted Istockphoto because I want to be sure. As of now, I have heard contrasting responses, so I better make sure I get the right information from the right source.

[Josh Anderson]

Originally Posted by epicbob

When you but from istock you own them completely and can do whatever you want.

You are hereby awarded the "Ignore anything he says" award.

Please anyone reading this thread disregard that statement as it is not only wrong... it could get you in deep legal trouble.

[Chris Kent]

Just use flickr advanced search, check creative commons and be sure to put attribution in small type under every photo.

That's what I do and it looks perfectly acceptable.

[dave147]

for the $1 or $2 istock photo download you can use the photos for your personal use but you can not resell them

[Minisite Nerd]

Originally Posted by yourreviewer

Hello folks,
I am currently writing an ebook and I need a few images for the ebook. Because ebooks are downloaded again and again, would I be violating any terms and conditions by using their images on my ebook. Have any of you used Istock photos for ebooks? Please confirm.

Thanks,
Dan

Can't post live links - istockphoto.com/license.php
Check out 3(c)

"(c) Permitted Uses. Subject to the restrictions described under Prohibited Uses below, the following are “Permitted Uses” of Content:

1. advertising and promotional projects, including printed materials, product packaging, presentations, film and video presentations, commercials, catalogues, brochures, promotional greeting cards and promotional postcards (ie. not for resale or license);
2. entertainment applications, such as books and book covers, magazines, newspapers, editorials, newsletters, and video, broadcast and theatrical presentations;
3. on–line or electronic publications, including web pages to a maximum of 800 x 600 pixels;
4. prints, posters (i.e. a hardcopy) and other reproductions for personal use or promotional purposes specified in (1) above, but not for resale, license or other distribution; and
5. any other uses approved in writing by iStockphoto."

Now that does limit you to 500,000 copies, so if you start approaching that you will need to buy an extended license. Shouldn't be a problem if you're ebook sells half a million copies.



Please note - I'm not a LAWYER....and this is not legal advice. So before you do anything you should either contact a lawyer or iStockphoto for further clarification if you're still not sure about the terms of the license you purchase.

[Ben_R]

they have live support - also for plr i'd use public domain

[HorseStall]

You *have* to read the licensing agreement to know what you can and cannot do. Purchasing them does not give you unlimited rights on all stock photo sites. It varies from site to site, you must read the fine print to know what is allowed.
I think the licensing agreement at Photo Wizard Royalty Free Stock Photos is pretty liberal.

[sbucciarel]

Originally Posted by epicbob

When you but from istock you own them completely and can do whatever you want.

You should do some reading before posting ... like start with the istockphoto.com terms of service.

[dejoliet31]

Let me give you my personal experience with this matter. This is not legal advice as I am not an attorney.

You have to check the rights conferred by your license when you purchase from istockphoto. That controls what you can and cannot do with the graphic.

In my own case, I used the photo I purchased from them on my web site. About a year or so later I received a letter from an attorney of a BIG name graphics firm alleging that I was using their copyrighted property without license. They offered to let me fix the issue for about $750. And they noted that I would still be liable even if I obtained the graphic from a source I thought was capable of supplying rights to me.

Fortunately, I had the graphic on my computer with license, etc. So I had my attorney send them a letter along with supporting files. The matter was quickly resolved. So from my vantage point, I would be leery of accepting advice from this forum where legal consequences may be involved. Read the license and if still in doubt, seek legal counsel.

Just my 2 cents.