Hello. I am currently creating some online case studies for the medical school I attend. These are fictional cases based on clinical reality. Anyhow, I need a few images for my case presentations, which will be posted on an online educational website (not-for-profit, for educational purposes only). I came across this site and had some questions about using the photos.

Firstly, I need photos of people to use as fictional characters in the case (i.e. the patient, the mother of the patient, etc). For instance, one case introduces you to a young woman, and there is a picture of this woman. This is the only context in which I will be using the image.

Do I need to ask permission when using photos of people? And are the photos really free to download, and free from copyright restrictions?

Please let me know!


Thanks!

[jppi]

To answer your questions somewhat in reverse, the photos are free to download, but they're not public domain, so copyright restrictions apply.  However, those "restrictions" are about as generous as you'll find anywhere!  In a nutshell, you can use the photos without payment, notice, or credit to the photographer, you just can't claim them as your own or distribute them in essentially the same form as you downloaded them (i.e., you have to add your own creative element, even if that's just integration of the photo into a document or Web page design).

As for permission from the person(s) in the photos, I personally think this would not be necessary for the purpose you have described.  However, if you're concerned, then consulting a lawyer would give you a more solid answer -- or obtaining permission would normally be much cheaper.  From the way I read it, though, I don't think I would be worried about it unless there was something that might reasonably be injurious to a person's reputation (e.g., by associating the person with controversial or embarrassing topics such as abortion, drug use, STDs, etc.).

I'm also in need of help, my two projects are in need of photo input as well.

project 1: I completed my first novel of poetry and I want to add pictures into the poetry portion of the book can I use the photos without obtaining permission? (Flowers, butterflies, wedding dresses, and abstract art)



Project 2: A very popular network has issued an outcry for filmmakers and want those in the field to submit a 20second film showing our talents. The film is only only to shown on the internet for those people to vote. No one is buying a copy of the film or anything like that. Do, I still need permission to use the photo's on the sight?


Please answer (FOR CREATIVE USE)

To answer your questions somewhat in reverse, the photos are free to download, but they're not public domain, so copyright restrictions apply.  However, those "restrictions" are about as generous as you'll find anywhere!  In a nutshell, you can use the photos without payment, notice, or credit to the photographer, you just can't claim them as your own or distribute them in essentially the same form as you downloaded them (i.e., you have to add your own creative element, even if that's just integration of the photo into a document or Web page design).

As for permission from the person(s) in the photos, I personally think this would not be necessary for the purpose you have described.  However, if you're concerned, then consulting a lawyer would give you a more solid answer -- or obtaining permission would normally be much cheaper.  From the way I read it, though, I don't think I would be worried about it unless there was something that might reasonably be injurious to a person's reputation (e.g., by associating the person with controversial or embarrassing topics such as abortion, drug use, STDs, etc.).

Poet09 wrote:

I'm also in need of help, my two projects are in need of photo input as well.

Welcome. I will try and answer as simple as it is. Yes, you can use them with the way you were asking in both scenarios. You can use the photos as long as you don't print them "as is" and sell them. The only thing we ask is that you give credit to the photographer if possible and if you can notify the photographer, via this site, to let them know how their images have been used.

Thanks for your interest. If you have specific images you need and cannot find them on this site, post a question in the "general Discussion" section asking for what you need. That section probably gets the most views.

Lori