Images and GIFs

Images

Again, taking things from the internet and reusing them without checking the copyright is a problem. The great thing about images is that there are heaps of different avenues for sourcing images legally.

You can:

• Rely on images that are licensed for re-use under Creative Commons, just make sure the licence covers your use and that you attribute the work properly (opens in new tab).
• For more information on finding reusable images try these blog posts on “Using Google Images to find re-usable images”(opens in new tab) and “Finding re-usable images in Flickr” (opens in new tab)
• Use images that are in the Public Domain (opens in new tab) (meaning that the copyright has expired or been waived).
• Subscribe to a stock photography resource (opens in new tab) that will issue you with a licence to re-use images on your business website. Read the terms carefully to ensure you’re purchasing photos you can use and check with your boss or supervisor before subscribing and making purchases.
• Commission images from a graphic designer or photographer. Make sure you consult with the legal expert at your company and have an agreement with the artist that outlines how the work can be used, now and in the future.
• Seek permission from the creator of an image that you want to use.
• Create your own. Just be careful if you are creating your own works that you’re not copying substantial elements of someone else’s work. A copy by hand is still a copy, so make sure that your work is suitably original.

4.3.4.1 Activity - Images 

Use the provided links to look more closely at the following images and decide how you are allowed to use them.

Festival of Lights - Brandenburger. (opens in new tab)

Mehnert, MF, 2009, Festival of Lights – Brandenburger, photograph, Wikimedia Commons, retrieved 25 March 2017, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009-10-23_-_Festival_of_Lights_-_Brandenburger_Tor_4.JPG>

Hands of international coworkers putting colorful puzzles together
(opens in new tab)

Prostock-studio, 2020, Hands of international coworkers putting
colorful puzzles together, photograph, Adobe Stock,
retrieved 02 September 2020, <https://stock.adobe.com/au/search?load_type=search&native_visual_search=&similar_content_id=&is_recent
_search=&search_type=usertyped&k=collaboration&asset_id=322522389>

GIFs

What about GIFs?

GIFs have legal implications in Australia due to our narrow copyright laws. Whilst there is no case law in Australia to rely on as a precedent, there is still an element of risk, so it’s best to consult with the legal expert in your company to find out their policy on using GIFs.