Stock photographs are typically subject to copyright protection, which means that the photographer or the entity that owns the rights to the photograph has the exclusive right to use, distribute, and sell the photograph. If you want to use a stock photograph in your work, you will need to obtain a license to use the photograph.
When you purchase a license for a stock image from Planet Stock Photo website, you are essentially paying for the right to use the photograph within the terms of the license. This typically includes the right to reproduce the photograph, display it publicly, and distribute it in various forms. The license may also specify any restrictions on the use of the photograph, such as limitations on the number of times it can be used or the context in which it can be used.
Stock photo copyright licensing types
Creative Commons
It is a type of licensing agreement that allows photographers and content creators to share their work with others while retaining some control over how it is used.
Some common Creative Commons licenses for stock photos include:
- CC0 (Creative Commons Zero)
- CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution)
- CC BY-NC (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial)
- CC BY-SA (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike)
Rights-Managed [RM]
It is a type of licensing agreement that grants specific rights to use a copyrighted work for a particular purpose, typically for a limited period of time.
Under a rights-managed copyright license, the copyright holder retains control over the use of their work and can specify the terms and conditions under which it can be used. This may include limitations on the scope, duration, and geographic location of use, as well as the type of use (e.g., commercial, non-commercial, editorial, etc.).
Royalty-free [RF]
A royalty-free license in stock photography use allows the buyer to use the licensed image or footage for an unlimited period of time and in a variety of ways without having to pay additional royalties or fees based on usage.
Royalty-free licenses are popular in the stock photography industry because they provide flexibility and cost-effectiveness for buyers, and a reliable income stream for photographers and stock agencies. However, it’s important to note that royalty-free licenses do not grant exclusive rights to the buyer, and the same image or footage can be licensed to multiple buyers.
Public domain images
Public domain images are images whose copyright has expired, or those that were never subject to copyright protection in the first place. As a result, anyone can use, modify, and distribute these images without seeking permission from the original author or paying royalties.
Even though an image is in the public domain, it may still be subject to other laws or restrictions, such as privacy or trademark laws. It’s always a good idea to check the specific terms and conditions of an image before using it.
Remember to carefully review the terms of the license before purchasing it, to ensure that it meets your specific needs and that you are not violating any copyright laws. If you use a stock photograph without obtaining the proper license, you could be liable for copyright infringement, which could result in legal action and financial penalties.
