This document provides guidance on finding and using copyright-free images legally. It explains that while digital images are easy to share, strict copyright rules still apply. Creative Commons images can be used freely if they have certain licenses allowing reuse. The document outlines steps to attribute images when using them and properly reference in a bibliography. Specific websites to find Creative Commons images are listed, and proper formatting is provided for attributing and referencing images in works.

1. Finding copyright free
images
Sarah Robinson
Academic Liaison
Librarian
S.Robinson@uos.ac.uk
@libraryhamster

2. Digital images and copyright
• Creating and sharing digital images is easy but using them legally is not so easy
• There are strict rules and regulations regarding their use and you could be fined
if you disregard these
• Copyright owners do not have to make any explicit statements regarding
copyright in their work.
• However, the absence of clear copyright license information attached to an
image does not mean it is free to use
TIP! Always assume an image is protected under copyright unless otherwise stated

3. Using images in your work
• Step 1 Find a copyright cleared image
Search Pixabay, Flickr, Google Images or Bing
• Step 2 Attribute the image beneath or
along the side of the image
Add an attribution statement beneath your image
• Step 3 Reference your image
Include a reference in your reference list

4. Find a copyright cleared image
- Creative Commons
• Creative Commons is a non-profit organisation that
enables the sharing and use of images and other
works.
• It enables creators to give others the right to share,
use and build upon work created while retaining their
copyright.
• There are many different Creative Commons
licenses and each allows the image to be
shared and reused in different ways e.g. the
license may not allow the image to be edited or used
for commercial purposes.
• Watch this short Video for a quick introduction to
copyright and Creative Commons.
Untitled image by Tumisu on Pixabay

5. Creative Commons Images to look for – safe to
use – licence types
CC0 Public Domain Images
• These images are copyright cleared (“no rights reserved”) and are free to use
and edit with no permission required.
• Image creators have chosen to opt out of copyright and database protection and
have waived their exclusive rights, to the fullest extent allowed by law. More
CC_BY Licence - Creative Commons (free to use and share) images
• Licensed images free to use and share for education and research purposes
• Some licenses may not permit commercial use or editing of images

6. •These images are copyright cleared (“no rights
reserved”) and are free to use and edit with no
permission required.
•Image creators have chosen to opt out of copyright
and database protection and have waived their
exclusive rights, to the fullest extent allowed by
law. More
Using Images in your work
CC0 = in the public domain no attribution
required
CC0 Licence is safest

7. Pexels https://www.pexels.com/
Search for ‘Health’ – example images
Using Images in your work- where to find them –
CC0 Licence

8. Stocksnap https://stocksnap.io/
Findaphoto http://finda.photo/
Image examples
Using Images in your work- where to find them -
CC0 licence

9. Gratisography
https://gratisography.com/
Image example
Using Images in your work- where to find them -
CC0 licence

10. Images which are not safe to use
• Copyrighted images (“all rights reserved”)
• These require permission from the owner or you are in breach of copyright and
may be fined.
• If you wish to use the image you need to contact the image owner who may
request a fee for using the image.
©

11. Once you have found your image – create
attribution
“Syringe with 5 drops” by Zaldylmg available from Flickr

12. Attribution – this is different from the reference
What to include
Title of work
Author if known
Location (where the image was found)
“Syringe with 5 drops” by Zaldylmg available from Flickr

13. Attributing an image with full details
“Syringe with 5 drops” by Zaldylmg available from Flickr
Attribution information can
be made small

14. Attributing an image with no author
“blur-chair-cheerful” available on Pexels

15. Have a go
Create an attribution for this image – note there is no date for the image, the title
of the image is DNA-String-Biology, author is Qmono
.....................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................

16. Referencing images
• Referencing is different from attribution and you should do both.
• You need to link your attribution statement to your reference list at the end of
your poster.
• Your reference should include full details including how to find the image.

17. Referencing an image with full details
Zaldylmg (2008) Syringe with 5 drops. Available at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8499561@N02/2755481069/in/photolist-5cuywi-
jzXwzE-5mfH6-6bd9cW-acMjbQ-nVVT88 (Accessed: 7 January 2019).
• Photographer’s name
• Year (in round brackets)
• Image title (in italics) followed by full stop
• Available at: URL
• (Accessed: date)

18. Have a go
Create a reference for the image
.......................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................

19. Referencing an image with no author and no
date
Photo title (in italics)
Year (in round brackets)
Available at: URL
(Accessed: date)
Blur-chair-cheerful. (no date) Available at https://www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-plush-
toy-160739/ (Accessed: 4th June 2018)

20. The referencing system for Education is UoS Harvard and is based on the advice in this book:
Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2016) Cite
them right: the essential referencing
guide. 10th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Cite Them Right is also available online
Harvard referencing
http://libguides.ucs.ac.uk

21. • Step-by-step guide to advanced literature searching including:
• Links to past dissertations with example literature searches
• Video search guides – database examples
• Thesaurus – help finding search terms
http://libguides.uos.ac.uk/AdvancedLiteratureSearchGuide
Advanced literature guide

22. Book a one-to-one tutorial
Use the booking page on the learning services website
Small groups can be booked by numbers need to be advised of first if possible
Skype appointments possible
Support with your topic choice – please see your tutor
Follow up support for your literature search

23. Thank you - questions

24. Image references
All images sourced from Pexels
https://www.pexels.com/photo-license/
Free for personal and commercial use
No attribution required