Where do you get your images?

I'd be careful doing that. Google doesn't verify any information about the images and I have come across many that are not royalty free. At least check the source first.

Does Google guarantee the image license tags are correct? Nope. Does Google give you permission to use the image? Nope. Does Google give you any guarantees or protections? Nope. Does Google have model and property releases on file? Nope. Generally speaking, to use images that you find on Google or Google Images you need to obtain/verify permission from the copyright holder prior to using the image.

Straight from Google's FAQ page ---> Get Permission from the Image Owner, which is typically first person that posted the image to the web!



If a photo is copyrighted then you need to ask permission or legally obtain a legit license to use it (barring authentic fair use exceptions). Giving attribution, credit, or a link back is not a substitute for obtaining permission or a proper license. If you are using any Creative Commons images other than CC0 images --> then you need to provide proper attribution to the copyright holder.

Below I will note a few downsides of using public domain images (CC0) and even some creative commons images.

#0) [Copyright and Release Ground Zero] You have no guarantee that the images were legally obtained by the people uploading the images to the public domain sites. On the same note, in most cases, nobody really knows for sure if the images were actually created by someone that has the rights to offer an image with a creative commons license, either.

#1) The fact of the matter is this, some ignorant folks think that once they find an image published on the web, they wrongfully think or believe it is automatically a public domain image. Wanting to increase their web cred, or for whatever other reasons, some of these peeps upload copyrighted images they "thought" were public domain to photo sharing sites like flickr, wallpaper sites, pubdom sites, and some even sell the stolen picks on Fiverr and other places. A copyrighted image that is pirated, and then placed on a photo sharing site that claims all photos are public domain, is still a copyrighted image.

#2) Almost all public domain image sites do not guarantee the images they display are actually public domain images, in-fact these sites have public disclaimers that tell you to use the images at your own risk. The same goes for most sites that allow users to upload images under the Creative Common license, you have no guarantee the uploader had the rights to the image in the first place.

#3) Copyright is not the only thing that needs to be considered when using images, especially when you use them commercially. Not only do you need a proper license or permission to use for a specific end use(s), you may also need to use an image that has a signed Model and/or Property release.

As an example, I can't take a photo of a famous pro quarterback and then use the image in my advertising campaigns that makes it appear as if the player is endorsing my product, service, company or cause. I can't use his face prominently in advertising and marketing campaigns etc. etc. without a model release.

If the player is wearing an NFL uniform, then I ALSO need property releases from the NFL team and the NFL to use the images that have the NFL and team logo's on them for the similar commercial endeavors.

If I can't use my own photos without a model and property release for commercial advertising and marketing, obviously a person that did not create the photo needs the releases as well.

This does not only apply to famous people, it also applies to recognizable people, silhouettes, etc. etc. For instance, you can't take a picture of me and then use it as I described above without obtaining a signed model release from me.

Property releases need to be obtained when using pictures of trademarked buildings, structures and pictures that show corporate logos and brands etc., when using the images for many/most marketing and advertising purposes.

Furthermore, you can't use pictures of people in a way that will defame them or show them in a false light unless you have a signed model release. In most U.S. states, and many other countries, people are entitled not only to the the right of privacy, but also to the right of PUBLICITY. Each individual person has some control over the right to use their own likeness. And no, you can't trace a photo and then use the drawing of the person either...line drawing, photo, painting etc. A few exceptions to this rule exist, but that's a bit too detailed to get into on this thread.

How do you make sure you have a proper license to use an image? Obtain the image from a reputable stock image site, photographer, agency or graphic artist or similar reputable dealer or vendor.

How do you obtain a model or property release? You purchase the rights to the image from a company or photographer that has a model and/or property release from the model or trademark owner on file. A release is normally obtained at the time the photo was shot.

Royalty Free photos do not usually come with model and/or property releases, in-fact the great majority of them do not when talking about the professional stock image industry in general. Typically, these types of photos are licensed Rights Managed and not Royalty Free.

So....if you want to be sure when using an image, especially on your ad copy, marketing materials, web hits, web video, banners, logos etc, and that image includes a person's face, a famous building, a trademarked name or logo etc. your best bet is to obtain the image from a reputably image entity that offers clear license terms and releases.

Free image sites offer no guarantees, most do not offer any model or property releases, and almost anybody and their brother and sister can upload any image they find to these types of image sites.

All that said, and as others have mentioned, Pixabay is one of the more reputable public domain sites, and they do have some images that claim to have a model releases in place.

If you are using images in your everyday business and don't want to worry, and you don't want to attribute, then purchasing stock image licenses from reputable photographers and stock image companies is by far the best way to go.

Cheers

-don

errrr, isnt this a bit naughty??