As of January 1, 2024, Steamboat Willie has entered the public domain in the United States. This means that the copyright protections that previously restricted its use have expired, allowing anyone to freely use, distribute, and adapt the film and its original character depictions without needing permission from Disney. However, later versions of Mickey Mouse, including his modern design and personality, remain under copyright, and Disney still holds trademark rights that protect Mickey as a recognizable brand.
Summary
Finding images for your website, blog, or social media can be tricky due to copyright laws. This guide will help you navigate image licensing and attribution, explaining the basics of copyright, Creative Commons licenses, and where to find stock photos you can legally use. It also covers how to give proper credit to image creators, ensuring you stay compliant with legal standards.
If you’ve ever wondered where to find images that are safe to use in your work—whether it’s for your website, blog, social media, or presentations—you’re not alone. The answer can be complex, but here’s a straightforward guide to help you navigate the process legally.
Understanding Copyright and Licensing
First, it’s crucial to know that most images you find online are copyrighted. This means you can’t just use them freely without permission. Copyright gives creators the legal rights over their work, and using these images without permission can result in fines or legal action.
To get a better understanding of copyright law and image usage, check out this comprehensive overview of copyright information and licenses. It provides several main types of licensures: fair use, public domain, creative commons, stock photos, your own images, social media images, and AI-generated images.
Creative Commons Licenses Explained
One solution to the copyright dilemma is Creative Commons (CC) licenses. These licenses allow creators to share their work under certain conditions. For instance, some licenses may allow you to use an image as long as you give proper credit, while others may let you modify the image as long as you don’t use it for commercial purposes.
If you’re new to Creative Commons, I recommend watching this short video that breaks down the different types of Creative Commons licenses.
Stock Photo Sites with Creative Commons Licenses
There are several stock photo sites where you can find images with Creative Commons licenses. These platforms allow you to download and use images under specific terms set by the creator. This list of stock photo sites compiles some of the best places to find high-quality, Creative Commons-licensed photos. Just make sure to review the licensing terms for each image to ensure you’re using it correctly.