102 messages
 1. Feb 24, 2007 11:41 PM admin | =============================== PHOTO USAGE / RESTRICTIONS INFO =============================== So what are all those restrictions and for what purposes can I use these pictures legally anyway? This is a question that is asked many times, so I put this document together which is basically based on our Image license agreement ( http://www.sxc.hu/help/7_2 ) and various sections of the Help ( http://www.sxc.hu/help/ ). WHAT CAN I USE THESE IMAGES FOR? The images on SXC can be used for all sorts of purposes without any problems. You can use them to create website designs, illustrate your blog, spice up your multimedia presentations, set them as wallpapers on your computer, include them in broadcast film and video; you can also use them in books, magazines, brochures, flyers, CD/DVD covers; you can decorate your home, office, restaurant etc. with them and so on. Since it's impossible to list all the permitted uses, I'll try to explain what's allowed from a different approach. The images you can download from SXC for free are shared by generous individuals who would like to help you out so you can make something really nice with them. Using the pictures in a design, illustrating an article, making a book cover is OK, but - and here comes the important part: You MUST NOT sell or distribute the images in any way. You MUST NOT create printed reproductions, put them on Cafepress-like "print on demand items" or do any other similar activity that does not require any effort from your part. In other words, you are not allowed to use the images for projects where the object of sale would be the images themselves. For these types of projects you must get written permission from the artists, because if you plan to distribute their work without their consent, you're going to get yourself in big trouble. ( Important: This is just a summary of the License agreement. For the exact wording please go to http://www.sxc.hu/help/7_2 ). WHAT ARE THESE RESTRICTIONS AND WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THEM? It's important to know that we do not own these pictures, we just host them. To protect the work of our contributors, we have 4 types of restrictions: 1. Standard restrictions apply You simply have to obey the rules of the License agreement ( http://www.sxc.hu/help/7_2 ), which is basically about using the pictures nicely, not putting them on porn sites, not selling them etc. Should be simple. 2. User must be notified upon use You have to drop a few lines to the artist that you are planning to use the image for something. This does not mean that you have to wait for the artist to reply, and you are not required to ask for permission either. 3. User must be notified and credited upon use This is the same as the above, but you must give credit to the artist as well. 4. Written permission needed from the user If you try to download an image like this you get prompted with a permission request form that you need to fill out as accurately as possible. You can check the status of your permission requests at My account / Requests. You can also have a forum-like conversation with the artists there. Once you get the permission you can download the photo like any other on the site. Please note that we have no control over the artist's images, e-mail accounts and response time so we cannot guarantee that all of them will get back to you in a timely manner or at all. HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THAT I DON'T GET IN TROUBLE? Since we cannot guarantee the legality of all the images on the site, depending on the nature of the work sometimes it may be a good idea to contact the photographer and request written permission even if it's not necessary. However - as I mentioned earlier - we cannot guarantee a (timely) response. WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION THAT ISN'T COVERED HERE? You can try the - License agreement: http://www.sxc.hu/help/7_2 - Help (Downloads section): http://www.sxc.hu/help/2 - FAQ: http://www.sxc.hu/help/8 or - Contact the photographer - Post a thread in Policy questions Good luck with your projects! |
 81. May 8, 2009 7:22 PM straymuse | a header is not a logo nor a trademark http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logo |
 82. May 8, 2009 7:41 PM sandalla | Thanks so much for confirming! :-) |
83. May 25, 2009 10:25 PM missmoon99 | Okay, I think this might have been answered in some form or another, but I really could use some clarification. I'm designing something for an online shop called Threadless(.com) Designs are submitted, and several are selected a week and placed on t-shirts and sold. The submitter of the design gets paid, the company gets paid. Now I was hoping to use a "standard restrictions" image as part of my design. It's altered drastically, and not the only part of the design, but it's still recognizable. When users buy the shirts, they don't pick a design and put it on the shirt, they pick the shirts that have already been made of the privately selected designs. Would it be illegal to use a "standard restrictions apply" image as part of my design? |
84. May 26, 2009 4:14 PM straymuse | you need permission from the photographers. the tshirt is only a canvas and what "sells" it is the design. the DOs and DON'Ts will never cover all possible scenarios, therefore it's always best to only look at the DOs and assume that everything else requires permission |
 85. May 30, 2009 3:13 AM dragonaria | The easiest thing to do for EVERYONE is to simply send a note to the photographer, or leave a nice comment stating your intent to use the photo in the comments box. That way if they don't respond to you in the email, the intent to use is still posted on their site and they can say "Hey, I don't want you to use that in that particular manner." Just use basic courtesy. For me, my big problem is when someone slaps their name on my stuff somewhere else. Obviously not a friendly thing to do. Offer kindness, and you'll usually get it back. Photographers just want a little show of your appreciation. It keeps them motivated. |
86. May 31, 2009 11:01 PM dragonaria | Just to clarify, a few people asked earlier on about taking photos of non-generic items and ps'ing the logos and trademarks off and still having a legal team contact them about the stock use of the photo. I just wanted to warn people that very brand specific items have design elements that are copyrighted and usually severely restricted. Example: Levi's jeans have copyrighted the manner in which they apply the back jeans pockets and the embroidered v swoosh. They have sued several other jeans manufactuerers for making a similar looking swoosh on the back. Even withouth the Levi's logo, you would be infringing on their copyright to photograph the pockets of the jeans to provide as stock. It's best to use generic items, and research copyrights on non-generic items, |
87. Jul 23, 2009 2:50 PM eloise_ng | Ref. photo #717395 "Standard restrictions apply", for example: 1) May I use this kind of image/photo with this lisence in our website to sell a Carnival hotel Package ? we will sell the package, we will not sell the image/photo, but the customer may download the image... 2) May I use this kind of image/photo in a e-marketing to sell our Carnival Hotel Package ? The customer may print the e-marketing or may download the folder... I am asking just for not making any ilegal with the images. This website is really useful and the most of images are gourgeous. Congratulations. Thank you so much for your reply. |
88. Jul 23, 2009 2:51 PM eloise_ng | Ref. photo #717395 "Standard restrictions apply", for example: 1) May I use this kind of image/photo with this lisence in our website to sell a Carnival hotel Package ? we will sell the package, we will not sell the image/photo, but the customer may download the image... 2) May I use this kind of image/photo in a e-marketing to sell our Carnival Hotel Package ? The customer may print the e-marketing or may download the folder... I am asking just for not making any ilegal with the images. This website is really useful and the most of images are gourgeous. Congratulations. Thank you so much for your reply. |
89. Jul 23, 2009 7:43 PM straymuse | "You may use the Image * In digital format on websites, multimedia presentations, broadcast film and video, cell phones. * In printed promotional materials, magazines, newspapers, books, brochures, flyers, CD/DVD covers, etc." if this applies to you then yes, you can use the image. but you can't make the image available for download, but if the brochure is available for download then that's fine |
90. Jul 23, 2009 8:47 PM eloise_ng | RE: 88/89 Yes, the brochure/emarketing (image decorating it) will be available for dowload. We will not make only the image available for download. Thank you so much for your help. |
91. Jul 30, 2009 3:59 PM webbb | With scx.hu joining the GettyImages-Group, will there anything be changed with the licences /restrictions under which pictures from sxc.hu are allowed to be used. Can I still use the pictures under "standard restrictions" for commercial websites (of clients) without having to pay anything? |
92. Jul 31, 2009 5:04 AM straymuse | I can't imagine that different terms would apply other than those that are currently published on this website. I'm sure if they change we will be notified |
 93. Aug 20, 2009 10:43 AM lightning | We need to put this message on the front page of the website. "If you don't want other people to use your photographs, don't use this website. It is called 'stock XCHANGE' for a reason. We are exchanging our photographs for FREE. If you don't like it, please go away." |
94. Aug 20, 2009 4:17 PM straymuse | lightning, what it should say is that "these photos are for free but if you don't agree with the terms and restrictions of SXC - don't use this website". the fact that the price is $0 doesn't mean one can do whatever he pleases. just like on a commercial agency if one pays a couple of bucks he still can't do anything he wants with the image |
 95. Aug 22, 2009 2:57 AM xymonau | I retain the copyright to all my images, and offer them under the terms of use only - nothing more. Like it or lump it. |
96. Sep 9, 2009 11:56 AM je9265 | Hi, I run several different blogs under different pen names. Is it legal to use some of the pictures of people to portray a pen name author? |
97. Sep 13, 2009 2:40 PM straymuse | if I understand correctly, no you can't paste someone's photo under an article and claim they wrote it |
 98. Sep 30, 2009 11:37 PM argriffin | If this has already been answered, please forward me the post. I am understanding that it is okay to use standard restriction photos in specific web layouts I do for clients and for printed publications I am hired to create. (Am I correct?) Also, that it is NOT okay to make derivatives of the photo, or alter it in any way without permission. (Like photoshoping out an apple from a photo.) Do I have this information correct? |
99. Oct 1, 2009 6:31 AM xymonau | You can make a derivative as long as you do not claim copyright or redistribute the image. It has to be used according to sxc rules as if the whole image was owned by the sxc person. Commercial use in the ways you stated are allowed. |
100. Dec 7, 2009 11:59 PM beckamack | DOES THIS MEAN and I know its probably repeated, but I need to clarify before I go ahead and use an image..... If i am a graphic designer and I want to use an image in the background..... I am ALLOWED to put this image on a product i am going to sell. Sorry, I know im slow but I just dont want to break the law |
Add message
You have to log in to add messages.
Toolbox
Visit our partners
iStockphoto.com
Affordable inspiration: royalty-free photos, illustrations, video, audio and Flash® files from $1.
Affordable inspiration: royalty-free photos, illustrations, video, audio and Flash® files from $1.