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I see a lot of "free" stock imagery and vector graphics available on the Internet, but when I recommend such things for use on publications or websites, my clients ask me for printable licenses or any GPL/CreativeCommons declaration, but I find none on the websites themselves.

Do you have any idea whether such "free" graphics are usable for such media? Do I have to declare their source in publications or websites, if I use them outright?

Adam Lear
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Robin Rodricks
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3 Answers3

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There is no one answer fits all. Read the small print on the websites themselves and if you are unsure, try contacting the site owner.

From your post -

Stock Exchange - http://www.sxc.hu/help/7_2 and

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.
  • Along with your corporate identity on business cards, letterhead, etc.
  • To decorate your home, your office or any public place.

You may not use the Image

  • For pornographic, unlawful or other immoral purposes, for spreading hate or discrimination, or to defame or victimise other people, sociteties, cultures.
  • To endorse products and services if it depicts a person.
  • In a way that can give a bad name to SXC or the person(s) depicted on the Image.
  • As part of a trademark, service mark or logo.
  • SELLING AND REDISTRIBUTION OF THE IMAGE (INDIVIDUALLY OR ALONG WITH OTHER IMAGES) IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN! DO NOT SHARE THE IMAGE WITH OTHERS!

Always ask permission from the photographer if you want to use the Image

  • In website templates that You intend to sell or distribute.
  • For creating printed reproductions that You intend to sell.
  • On "print on demand" items such as t-shirts, postcards, mouse pads, mugs (e.g. on sites like Cafepress), or on any similar mass produced item that would contain the Image in a dominant way.

Vecteezy - I cannot locate the same level of licence, but I found this page - http://www.vecteezy.com/terms

Adam Lear
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William Hilsum
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Both Vecteezy

Vecteezy will not be held responsible for the uses of any graphics...contact the creators of the files you use.

and Stock Exchange

in some cases you may need to notify the artists about using the images and sometimes you need to give credit to them

sidestep any legal responsibilities by referring you to deal with each artist and any peculiar licensing tendencies they may have. I guess the short answer is maybe, but you'll have to contact each artist.

iStockPhoto is so much better about this: you only deal with them and the terms of use are clear. The Standard licensing covers a lot of ground for normal usage, but if you happen to need Extended it can cost $100+ per artwork.

hyperslug
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(I am not a lawyer). The art from these sites are licensed under the terms that are posted on the sites. I know stock.exchange has the terms listed on the page based on the requirements of the creator. For the others look around.

I looked at vecteezy and it looks like its listed on each page.

Daniel A. White
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