Library Guide to Copyright: Searching for Images

As the University of British Columbia states:

The Copyright Act does not specify any citation requirements beyond the source of the material used and, if available, the name of the creator (ie:Creator, Source). While there is no legal requirement to attribute works in the public domain to their creator(s), doing so is an important part of maintaining academic integrity. Generally, image citations should meet the same requirements as a text citation; that is, a reader should be able to find the source of the image, and the image itself, based on the information in the citation.

A basic Google search is the go-to for finding quick and easy information. But pulling random images from the Internet could be a violation of copyright law. Below is a list of places you can go to find shareable media to enrich your online course content. Always be sure to find out if there are any restrictions on reuse, such as an attribution requirement.

• Google Images: Most images you will find using Google are under copyright with all rights reserved. However, did you know you can filter image results by usage rights? To do this, click on "Tools" under the search bar, then choose an appropriate option under "Usage Rights." Note: occasionally Google gets it wrong, so make sure you visit the webpage to confirm that the image is openly licensed.

A screenshot showing how to filter Google Images results by usage rights

• CC Search: Search for images available for reuse under a Creative Commons license.
• Wikimedia Commons: Most images on Wikimedia Commons are either in the public domain or licensed under an open license like Creative Commons.
• Open Professionals Education Network: A selection of additional sources for openly licensed images, as well as videos, lectures, and other educational media.

Can I Use That Picture?

The Visual Communication Guy has created this quick and easy infographic for when you're just not sure if you may use an image in your work.