Copyright rules apply to all forms of content, whether physical crafts or digital assets. Using someone else’s intellectual property is a severe violation of the rules, which may result in serious consequences and heavy fines. As we know, copyright laws cover photographs, illustrations, and other images. So, it is important to understand these laws and ensure you are using images legally.
In this blog, we will guide you in determining if an image is copyrighted. We will also discuss some safe and legal methods to use images created by others.
So, come along!
6 Methods to Check the Copyright for an Image
You do not need a specialized service to check an image’s usage rights. You can check it yourself with these easy methods.
Look for a WaterMark
The quickest way to check the copyright of any image is to look for its watermark. Most creators add a watermark or logo in the background of their digital assets to protect them from illegal use. The watermark usually includes the business’s name or the creator to whom that image belongs. This detail makes it essential to ask for permission or give credit to the owner.
A watermark is visible on the image’s corners or in the background as a transparent inscription. If the image has the © sign, it is confirmed that this image is protected by copyright. However, its absence does not give a free hand to use the photo without permission.
Note: Never remove the watermark from an image. Doing so indicates intentionally breaking the copyright rules.
Read Captions for the Image Credits
Image credits are a common way to prevent the theft of digital property. The caption includes the name of the photographer, illustrator, or copyright owner. Other details may also be included, such as an email address or link to the image owner’s website.
With this information, you can directly contact the image owner to request to use their image. You have two options: purchase a license or agree on the terms of use to prevent copyright issues.
Check Image Meta Data
Images are embedded with hidden information called “metadata.” This information helps search engines understand what is in the image and how it is relevant to the written content on the page.
Metadata contains descriptive information about the image, including a headline, keywords, and copyright information. This could be a reliable way to check the copyright details of any image.
Here is the simple process to find the creator’s name, credits, and property rights for contacting them about licensing rights:
For Windows: Right-click the image and select “Properties.” Click “Details” to see information like the image size, creation date, and sometimes even the photographer’s name.
For macOS: Open the image in Preview, go to “Tools,” then “Show Inspector.” Click the ⓘ icon and then the “EXIF” tab to find details like the photographer and copyright information.
Conduct a Reverse Image Search
Reverse image search is a foolproof technique for finding the source of images on the web. This method is helpful if the watermark, caption, or metadata is unavailable. Moreover, it is easy to use. You can get all the details in a few clicks. Just access the tool and follow these steps:
- Click on the “Upload Image” button and select the required image. You can also copy-paste the image URL.
- Click on the “Search Similar Images” button to start.
- The image finder will show you the main source of your uploaded image and the licensing information.
Creative Commons License Search
Some images are available under Creative Commons licenses. Creative Commons is an American organization that has created many licenses for the authorized use of photos. These licenses tell you how the image can be used (like whether you can share it or modify it).
You can check if an image is copyrighted on Google without opening other sites.
Here is how it works:
- Click the “Tools” button.
- Select “Usage Rights” and then “Creative Commons licenses.”
Remember: Even with a Creative Commons license, there might be restrictions on how you can use the image. Always check the license details for specific terms.
Contact the U.S. Copyright Office
Copyright protects images automatically from the moment they are created. You don’t need to register an image with the U.S. copyright office to protect it. However, registration can be helpful if your image is ever misused.
You can search this database using the photographer’s name or the image title. If you can’t find an image in the database, it does not necessarily mean it is not copyrighted. It may not have been registered.
To Wrap Up
Photos and illustrations are the digital property of their owners or creators. You must ask for permission to use these visuals in your content. But first, it is essential to get the owner’s information so that you can contact them. There are multiple ways to get this information. If one way does not work for you, the other will work.
Among those ways, reverse image search is the most effective one. This technique not only provides copyright information but also helps you find similar images to select the best. Most importantly, you will find other versions of the same images.