Can’t tell if an image is copyrighted? Find Out With These Methods

Bria Ziter • May 17, 2021

Have you ever wanted to use a photo from the search engine but didn’t know if you could? We’ve all wanted to use the best photo to add to our blog, website or presentation. 


You can avoid the trouble of using a copyright photo by using these 3 methods to determine if a picture is protected. 



1. Know the general signs of a copyrighted photo


Some of the most simplest ways of figuring out if an image is protected, is through watermarks and copyright symbols. If you see a copyright or watermark, you are going to have to purchase the picture or ask the owner for permission to use the photo/graphic.



2. Do the necessary research to see if an image is copyrighted. 


Conduct a reverse-search on the image to see where the image has been posted and find the primary poster of the image. Start by going to https://images.google.com/. Click on the camera icon and copy and paste the image link! You can also upload the picture by clicking on upload an image, click on choose a file, and select the image from your computer.


After you find the original source, ask for permission to use the photo. Sometimes these photos are available to the general public as long as you follow the terms of use as defined by the person who owns the copyright. In other words, some creators tell you on their website how you can use the photo. You don’t have to contact them directly.



3. Learn how the court evaluates what’s the fair and not fair use of an image.


There are a few questions to consider before using a copyrighted image; how is it being used? What is the nature of the copyrighted image? How much or what portion of the copyrighted work is being used? What type of influence does the copyrighted work have on the audience or market?


Some photos are deemed “in the public domain” and these photos are fair game.


Being able to look into these questions can help in case of an infringement investigation that determines the rights of the image being used.


A simple way to avoid copyright infringement is to download royalty-free, attribution-free stock photos at Unsplash and/or Pexels.


We understand the importance of having the best photo to represent your content.


If you have any questions about finding free photos or videos, reach out to us at webeducationservices.com or call us at 727.222.6984. Have a great week!

Contact WES

The Marketing How-To Blog

Understanding Markets vs Marketing: Environment & Active

By Justin Babcock • 04 Oct, 2023
In the complex world of business, understanding the distinction between market behavior and marketing actions is paramount. Often, newcomers to the marketing realm are confounded by the unpredictability of the market and how it sometimes seems to defy their marketing efforts. A simple, yet enlightening analogy can help elucidate this - think of the market as the weather and marketing as farming.

New Port Richey Web Designer

By Justin Babcock • 18 Jul, 2023
A website isn't just a nice-to-have for businesses these days, it's a must-have. A well-designed website enhances your brand's online presence, paves the way for customer engagement, and business growth. In this article, we explore the 7 qualities you should look for in a New Port Richey web designer. We will also introduce you to Web Education Services - a Google 5-star rated web design agency.

Making the Right Choice: Building a Website Yourself or Hiring a Designer

By Justin Babcock • 12 Jul, 2023
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, establishing an online presence is paramount for every business. A well-structured and designed website can greatly enhance your brand's visibility and credibility. However, the process of creating a website can be daunting, especially when confronted with decisions like the cost of hiring a designer, how to find a suitable one, or opting for a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach using website builders like Wix or Squarespace. Making an informed choice can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Figuring Out Your Budget and Time: The Classic Decision Building a website involves an investment of both time and money. Hiring a designer can cost between $100 to $200 per website page, whereas setting up a website yourself might consume around 4 hours per page. It's a classic time or money conundrum that forces you to reassess your priorities. Do you have the design skills to build a website yourself? If not, using DIY applications may extend the time it takes for you to establish your online presence. However, if your budget is tight, investing your time into learning and implementing the process might be a viable option. DIY Website Builders: A Blessing or a Curse? Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress have made website creation accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise. But are they always the best choice? Wix Pros: Wix offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a variety of templates, which make it easy for beginners to create a website. It also provides advanced features for more seasoned users. Cons: The flexibility of Wix can also be its downfall, as the wide range of options can be overwhelming. Its SEO capabilities have been criticized, and the free plan comes with ads. Squarespace Pros: Squarespace is known for its sleek, professional design templates. It offers comprehensive features and excellent customer support. Cons: Squarespace's pricing is slightly higher compared to other builders, and the platform can be less intuitive for first-time users. WordPress Pros: WordPress offers incredible flexibility and control, with thousands of themes and plugins. It's a great choice for blogs due to its strong content management system. Cons: WordPress has a steeper learning curve compared to other builders, and you may need to handle updates and security measures manually.
More Posts
Share by: