We receive a lot of questions asking if you have permission to use the photos in your project. Here, we explain the difference between a Commercial Creative Commons License and a Non-Commercial Creative Commons License and how you can tell if you are able to use the image in your project.
On every result page, the first two rows are 'sponsored' images from Shutterstock. So, if you are interesting in browsing through Shutterstock's options, click one of those images. The rows underneath are not sponsored and use Flickr's API.
By filtering by license on PhotoPin, you will be able to see which images are eligible to be used in commercial (making money) or non-commercial ways. Both commercial and non-commercial need to have attribution - which means, Creative Commons defines "appropriate credit" as (a) the name of the creator and attribution parties, (b) a copyright notice, (c) a license notice, (d) a disclaimer notice, and (e) a link to the material Both licenses lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon the work.
According to Creative Commons, "commercial" is defined as "primarily intended for commercial advantage or monetary gain". If you are using an image in an educational or research setting for limited non-profit uses ( you can't make a handout with it, for example) you can use the image. However, you cannot just print the image for decorative or personal use - that is considered theft.
Now that you know what the difference is between the Commercial and Non-Commercial Creative Commons License, let's walk through using an image you have found on PhotoPin:
Step 1: Select Image Size
Step 2: Click on photo to see license info - this will take you to the artist's Flickr page -license info is under the "date taken" on the right side and will have a link to the Creative Commons website explaining what attribution is required and any other restrictions of said photo.
-There are 6 types of licenses - each link will explain what you can, and cannot do under each type.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
Step 3: Grab HTML for Attribution
That's it! Hopefully this guide has helped you understand when and where you can use images you have found on PhotoPin.
Still confused?
Check out this Infographic that explains "The Laws, Terms, and Ethics for Using Copyrighted Images." It helps you answer the harder questions by explaining what exactly Copyright, Fair Use, Creative Commons, and Public Domain are.ab HTML for Attribution
PhotoPin.com is an online service provider as defined in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). We care about copyright violation will respond to all notices of alleged copyright infringement following the DMCA policy.
If you believe that content accessible through this website infringes a copyright you own or if you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner, please contact us. When contacting us, please notify us in writing to the DMCA agent below via email or regular mail.
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If a PhotoPin.com user believes that the removed content is not infringing, the user may send an email with reference "DMCA Counter-Notice" to info [at] pinwhale.com containing the following information:
If a DMCA counter-notice is received, PhotoPin.com will send a copy of the counter-notice to the complaining party. Unless the copyright owner files an action seeking a court order against the content provider, the removed content may be restored in 30 business days or more after receipt of the counter-notice, at PhotoPin.com's sole discretion.
For more information on DMCA, please visit the following websites.
You can download the text of the DMCA here: http://copyright.gov/legislation/hr2281.pdf
You can download a summary of the DMCA at: http://copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf
You can find the U.S. federal copyright code here: http://copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html
More information on copyright laws can be at:
http://copyright.gov