Including images in your work can improve your arguments, make your presentation more interesting and provide visual context.
However, you need to make sure that any images you use comply with copyright laws and licensing requirements. This page explains how to find and use images ethically and legally in your academic work.
So, what is Copyright?
Copyright protects the rights of creators over their original works, including images, photographs, illustrations, and designs. Using copyrighted material without permission or appropriate licensing may infringe on these rights.
Using Images for Academic Purposes
Using images in your assignments or presentations for non-commercial, educational purposes is often allowed under fair use or fair dealing provisions. However, this doesn’t mean all uses are permitted.
Finding Copyright-Friendly Images
To avoid copyright issues, use images that are: Licensed under Creative Commons (CC): These are free to use under certain conditions, such as attribution or non-commercial use.
In the Public Domain: These are not protected by copyright and can be used freely.
What to check before using an image
Before using an image, you must check if the image is free and also if permission is required to use the image.
You also need to ask if you need to cite the image in a particular way and if there are any restrictions on how you can use the image.
The majority of images are protected by copyright whether or not this is explicitly stated. Using these images for anything other than purely academic purposes is likely to be a breach of copyright and therefore illegal.
Using copyright protected images without permission could entail:
Remember: When in doubt, always check the copyright status of an image before using it. Respecting copyright not only demonstrates academic integrity but also upholds the rights of creators.
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