86 Intellectual property (IP) encompasses a wide range of creations, including images, photographs, and visual content. Whether you’re a creator, a business owner, or simply an internet user, understanding how to properly use and protect images is essential in today’s digital age. In this guide, we’ll explore the proper use of images, common misuses, and tips for protecting your intellectual property. Using Images Responsibly: Know Your Copyright Law: The first step in using images responsibly is understanding copyright. In most cases, images are automatically protected by copyright law from the moment they are created. This means you can’t use someone else’s images without permission unless they are specifically licensed for public use, such as under a Creative Commons license. Generally speaking, in the UK copyright in images and or photography lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years from the end of the calendar year of their death although the length of the copyright period will depend on when the image was created. License and Permissions: If you wish to use someone else’s images, seek proper licensing or permissions. Many stock photo websites offer high-quality images for a fee, and this can be a cost-effective way to obtain legally usable content. Attribute Properly: When using images under a Creative Commons or similar license, always provide appropriate attribution as specified by the license. This gives credit to the original creator and ensures you’re using the image legally. Public Domain and Fair Use: Images in the public domain or used under fair use principles may not require permission. However, be aware of the specific rules and limitations associated with these categories, as they vary from case to case and from one jurisdiction to another. Most teaching use of images fall under what is called a ‘fair use’ provision, so this allows academics to use copyright materials a single time to a limited audience without securing the permission of the copyright holder. Photo ready Dids Macdonald, CEO of Anti Copying in Design (ACID) looks at intellectual property, and what you can and can’t do with images and photography
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