Copyright free stock photography

The Internet and desktop publishing development have created a need for clipart and stock photography. The current copyright laws were posing a serious limitation in the usage of such material, because of the extensive rights the originator of such footage has over his material. Therefore a new variety of such material has been developed, called copyright free stock photography.

How does this deal work?

There are several websites providing free stock photography and many that charge an initial fee after which the photography is usable without limitations or with certain limitations depending on the site, the terms of service and the deal they are offering.
Certain rules apply, like the more limitations, the better the photography, whereas some amateurs almost without limitations to their stock photos can be very good indeed. So it's a game of hide and seek, where you do most of the seeking.

A while ago, Corel was the only company providing serious amounts of stock photography sold on CDs which are then allowed to be used within certain limitations. The limitations remove any usage which is based on the sole exploitation of the photograph and allow the use for one project and or product, whereby that usage is limited as well. You may create one template per fee, or one newsletter per fee, any other use is due another fee and all uses are defined carefully and very extensively in the usage agreement. Of course there are special license agreements available, but then you pay a higher fee.

There are some really free stock photography sites, like the morgueFile, but these images are not really free of the copyright issues. You may use the photos, but you can't sell them as your own or sell individual pictures, you may only use them within your project, even for commercial projects. The problem is that the rights granted are revocable and the site and similar sites do not provide any warranties whatsoever. What it means is that the photographer may in a week time turn around and revoke his permission given to the site and you will have to pay usage fees and also may be sued for damages.

Many free stock photography sites allow unlimited personal and private use, but any commercial use is strictly prohibited. It is prudent to check thoroughly the terms of service and there is sometimes per image limitations which make the whole business very confusing. Perhaps other sites, like IStockphoto, Shutterstock and similar, where you pay a certain usage fee upfront and have limited, but clearly defined rights how to commercially use the photographs bought, are easier and better.

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