Creative Commons images

Discussion in 'Graphics & Multimedia' started by Jay Elliot, Sep 21, 2011.

  1. #1
    Have been using the Creative Commons search on Flickr lately to find images to use on my blog

    My understanding of the Creative Commons licence is that unless they have specified otherwise you are free to use the images as you please as long as you follow the guidelines of the licence. eg.

    Keep any copyright notices intact.

    Keep the original title of the work

    Attribute the work - I usually do this by linking the image back to the flickr page and adding a caption with a link back to the owners photostream.

    Was wondering if anybody else is doing this, and if so have you had any problems using this method? ie has anybody accused you of stealing images etc? I understand and appreciate that maybe some of the people that upload their images don't realise that they are making them available for others to use, and may get upset upon finding their image on somebody elses site.

    By searching around flickr a bit I have already seen comments added to photos from bloggers informing the owner that they have used the image, and in some cases the owners have replied positively to the news.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2011
    Jay Elliot, Sep 21, 2011 IP
  2. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

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    #2
    It depends on which Creative Commons licence you're talking about.
    If you only use images with the Attribution CC BY license, you should be fine, as long as you give a credit. Some CC licenses forbid commercial use... which, depending on the various definitions of "commercial", can be a problem if you're making ANY money from your blog (AdSense etc).
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/
    http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/
    ---
    :) :D ***Welcome to DP. AU in da house!*** :D :)
     
    Kerosene, Sep 22, 2011 IP
  3. Jay Elliot

    Jay Elliot Member

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    #3
    Flickr allows you the option to search for images for commercial use, I always tick that option, it doesn't seem to limit the results very much. I haven't yet found a definitive answer on what is deemed commercial use yet, although I haven't looked very hard so far.

    I take the safe option and select only images that are available for commercial use with attribution.
     
    Jay Elliot, Sep 22, 2011 IP