The internet may seem like a free-for-all space where you can randomly use any picture you find. That’s how piracy became popular in the first place. But the truth is, such an action is illegal because it falls under copyright infringement.
While the authorities in your region may not have strict policies against piracy and copyright infringement, such a crime represents content theft. Becoming a victim of content theft in most areas of the world has legal consequences. So, to avoid those repercussions, you should check an image for copyrights before using it.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss four different but proven ways to check any photo for copyrights. We’ll cover each method step-by-step. So, let’s get started without wasting any time!
Method # 1: Use a Reverse Image Search Tool
The most effective way of checking picture copyrights on any photo is to use a reverse image search tool. How? Why?
This method relies on the visual traits of a picture to find its similar instances along with their sources. You can use it to explore the different online variations of your photo, which will ultimately help you decide whether your image is free to use or copyrighted.
All you need to do is upload your picture, and that’s it. Within a few seconds, you’ll get a variety of results featuring the following details:
- Contact details of the copyright holder.
- Information about the license or usage rights.
- The name of the artist or photographer.
So, you can use any of the abovementioned details to verify your target photo for copyrights accurately.
Note: If your picture is available on a stock photography site, it generally indicates that copyright laws fully protect it.
Method # 2: Look for Copyright Notices or Watermarks
Sometimes, the image you intend to check for copyrights offers straightforward visible cues. So, you don’t need to apply the first method in such a situation. Instead, look for copyright notices or watermarks.
Sometimes, the pictures come embedded with the following details:
- ‘©’ symbol, which is an indication of copyright-protected material.
- Creator’s name or copyright owner, especially in the caption.
- Semi-transparent logos or inscriptions.
So, always review your photo and check if it provides any of the above visible indicators. If it does, this indicates that copyrights protect the picture. In such a situation, you can search the information in the watermark for more details. But if that’s not the case, you can skip this method.
Method # 3: Examine the Metadata Details
Sometimes, the copyright sign alone is not enough to provide complete information about the owner of a photo. So, in this case, you can review the metadata of a picture. You can apply this method if your image offers no straightforward visual cues, such as copyright symbols or watermarks. But what exactly is metadata?
The term “metadata” refers to the details embedded by the creators before submitting an image online. It generally consists of things like:
- EXIF details include specifications such as the camera model, date and time, location, and creation or editing software.
- File size, format, and dimension details.
- Creator and copyright ownership information.
- Rights of proper usage.
So, to find these details for your picture, head over to its properties. Doing so is pretty straightforward on a Windows PC or a mobile device. Right-click on any photo and choose the ‘Properties’ option. But if you are on a macOS system, open your image in the ‘Preview’ app. Then, click ‘Tools’ from the menu bar or select ‘Show Inspector.’
Method # 4: Consult Copyright Databases
As we’ve already mentioned, some countries take copyright violations very seriously. For this reason, their governments have also established copyright databases to help people find the actual ownership of creations and their usage privileges. So, exploring them is another excellent way to check for image copyrights. A few of the most notable copyright databases from all around the globe are as follows:
- Australian Copyright Council.
- Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).
- European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
- UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO).
- U.S. Copyright Office Public Records System.
- WIPO Lex.
Final Verdict:
In conclusion, there are different ways to check image copyrights. However, the reverse image search method is the most effective one. It covers the functionality of all the other known techniques, revealing the metadata, similar visual instances, and sources. But sometimes, details in pictures have already been given.
Therefore, make sure to check your photo for copyright notices or watermarks. You can also examine the metadata and captions of photographs to get information about their copyrights. So, next time you find an image you would like to use, remember to follow the steps discussed above to respect the rights of creators and avoid potential copyright issues.
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