When you will be searching for photographs for use on your website, then you cannot just download and use any photo that you find online. Remember, each photo has got its own usage rules, and using them in an unauthorized way can result in lawsuits or fines.
Therefore, you must be aware of your rights, royalties, and rules, for a free download of photos.
The following 5 questions that you must answer before downloading or using any free images.
Whether the license is current?
There is every possibility that a photographer may upload some of his works that are available for free download. However, after some time he may decide to upload to some other paid website.
As long as people who have downloaded from the free website before the photographer did not upload to the paid website will not be affected. However, if anyone decides to download it without knowing the license status, may come under legal purview.
Are you using it for commercial purposes?
If your purpose of downloading has no commercial purpose then you need not worry. However, if you do have a commercial interest then you need to know whether you can freely download.
Generally, it is agreed that any kind of activity that is related to selling or promoting a certain product, service, website, idea, or any concept for earning profit will fall into the commercial category.
However, no clear definition exists of “commercial use”, hence if you are unsure, then consult an attorney.
If yes, then are releases required, and have you collected them?
If your use is really commercial, then ensure that the photographer has already collected all the needed releases. If you cannot ascertain that in any other way, then contact whoever took that photo and wait for their answer.
Are there any copyright issues?
When deciding on whether to use any photo, you must look for every element within the photo. Let us say a photo where someone is reading a book but what is written in the book is not readable in the photo.
So, you must be clear of free photos where there is any identifiable intellectual property like books and posters put on the wall.
Are there any items present in the photo which is protected by trademark law?
A trademark is a certain unique and distinctive mark that can be used to distinguish any products of any party from those of others.
Every company takes very seriously about their trademarks and under no circumstances you should use a free photo that may be containing certain trademarked material present within it.
Among many other things, perhaps you can be accused of attempting to endorse any of your products or service. So, ensure that any branding must be removed from the photo.
Conclusion
Buying photographs can always be expensive and a proper understanding of photography licensing and rights can be too complicated. Fortunately, millions of photos are available on the internet that is totally free to use.