What images can you use without permission?

Asked by: Jade Schmeler  |  Last update: February 4, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (58 votes)

You can use images without permission if they are in the Public Domain (copyright expired, never existed, or released by owner), under a Creative Commons (CC) license (like CC0 or others with attribution/non-commercial terms), created by the U.S. Government, or fall under U.S. Fair Use for things like criticism or news reporting; key sources for these are Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Pexels, and government sites like NASA Multimedia. Always check the specific license or terms for each image to confirm usage rights, especially for commercial projects.

What images can I use without permission?

That said, there are many cases in which copyright law permits re-use:

  • The image is a public domain work. ...
  • The image is available under a Creative Commons license. ...
  • The image is otherwise made available for re-use by the content provider. ...
  • The image is copyrighted, but re-use qualifies as Fair Use.

How do I know which images are free to use?

To avoid legal repercussions, you can use the Creative Commons licenses filter on Google Image Search to find free-to-use images. Important Notes: Google no longer has a Labeled for reuse filter and instead offers the option to search by Creative Commons licenses or Commercial & other licenses.

Can you use someone's image without their permission?

Generally, the law requires that individuals must give their permission before their name or likeness can be used for a commercial purpose. The unauthorized use of someone's name or likeness may give rise to two different types of legal claims: Violation of the right of publicity, and. Invasion of privacy.

How can I know if an image has copyright?

A watermark on an image is a clear sign that the image is copyrighted. Often, the watermark will contain text that indicates the name or company to whom the image belongs: do some googling and find out.

Can I Use That Picture in My Design? How to Legally Use Copyrighted Images Online

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Are PNG images copyright free?

PNG is open format, so you can view and edit these files in a huge range of programs without a license because there's no patent.

Where can I find fair use images?

Images for Fair Use

  • Flickr: Creative Commons. ...
  • Google Advanced Image Search. ...
  • Images from Wikimedia Commons. ...
  • Internet Archive: Digital Library of Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine. ...
  • Internet Archive Book Images from Flickr. ...
  • Openphoto.net: The Original Open Photo Project. ...
  • Ultimate Directory of Free Image Sources.

Can someone post a picture of me on social media without my consent?

Publishing images of you without your consent

If you took the photo, you usually own it. But, if you didn't take the photo but you are in it, someone could breach your rights (such as data protection or privacy rights) by posting it. This can be true even if you do not own the copyright to it.

What is fair use of art?

Artists may employ fair use to build on preexisting works, engage with contemporary culture, or provide artistic, political, or social commentary. And the entire visual arts community benefits from fair use when it enables enhanced access to archival materials.

Are candid pictures illegal?

You can legally take pictures so long as the people are in public. However, you cannot use those pictures for anything that serves to make money for you without either their permission or paying them for use of their likeness.

How to find if an image is free to use?

Find images you can use & share

  1. Use the "Usage rights" filter to find images that have license information attached to them. Google filters images by license based on information provided by the sites that host those images, or the image provider.
  2. Always confirm an image's license information.

How do I know if an image is fair use?

If it is “for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research,” you can apply the four factors of fair use (see the information on Fair Use and Section 107 above) and maybe not have to worry about copyright.

What images are considered public domain?

A public domain image is a visual work that is not subject to copyright that can happen for three main reasons:

  • The copyright has never existed.
  • The copyright has expired.
  • The copyright owner abandoned all rights related to it.

Are free images really free to use?

Many sites offer free stock photos that you can use for personal or commercial projects, but others charge a fee or require a subscription. Even with free images, it's important to read the license terms to see if attribution is required or if there are restrictions on editing or distribution.

What is the 3 month rule for copyright?

Copies of all works under copyright protection that have been published or distributed in the United States must be deposited with the Copyright Office within 3 months of the date of first publication.

Are all images on Google Images legal?

You cannot download or use images from Google without seeking permission from the copyright holder, unless your use falls within one of the exceptions or the work is distributed under an open licence such as Creative Commons.

What art is not protected by copyright?

Common symbols like smiley faces and hearts, as well as typography, are ineligible for copyright protection. Very simple works, like stylized word logos or minimalist art, also might not be protected by copyright, although other legal protections, like trademark protection, may be available.

What are the 4 conditions of fair use?

Is the use intended to substitute for a market currently enjoyed by the work's owner? Is the use coming from an unlawfully acquired copy? Does affordable and ready licensing exist for the use? Are numerous copies being made and distributed?

What is the 80 20 rule for artists?

Also known as the Pareto Principle, it says that 80% of results often come from just 20% of the effort. Or to put it in creative terms—80% of your best work might come from just 20% of what you make. Which means…you've got to make a lot to find your gold.

Is it illegal to screenshot a photo of someone?

As such, practically anyone with an internet connection can access, take a screenshot, and share them. Therefore, unless the material was confidential or you had to apply for access, taking a screengrab shouldn't result in any legal ramifications.

What is an unauthorized use of your image?

Copyright Infringement

Copyright law can provide protections against unauthorized photo use. The photographer gets exclusive rights to the image. Using someone's copyrighted photograph without permission constitutes copyright infringement. However, some unauthorized uses may be allowed under the fair use doctrine.

How to use copyrighted images legally?

How can I use a copyrighted image?

  1. Paid licensing. A licensing fee is paid to use the image. ...
  2. Fair use. In the case of fair use, the copyrighted picture can only be used for educational, personal or research purposes, or if it's beneficial to the public. ...
  3. Creative Commons (CC) ...
  4. Public domain.

How to tell if an image is free to use?

Use the steps below to help you determine which images are copyrighted.

  1. Look for copyright notices or watermarks. ...
  2. Examine image metadata. ...
  3. Perform a Google reverse image search. ...
  4. Check the source website's licensing information. ...
  5. Consult copyright databases.

What images can I legally use?

Two main categories of images offer legal alternatives to traditional copyrighted content: public domain images and CC-licensed works.

  • Public Domain Images.
  • Creative Commons Licensed Images.
  • Google Images With Advanced Filtering.
  • Dedicated Stock Photo Platforms.
  • Creative Commons Search Tools.
  • Flickr Advanced Search.

What images are images available to use without permission?

Images in the Public Domain are no longer under copyright protection and can be used freely. In general images published before 1923 are in the public domain in the United States. There are four common ways that works arrive in the public domain: the copyright has expired.