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Technology: Images

Resources for information on current and developing technologies.

Understanding Image Licenses

Under U.S. law, any "work" (a product of a person's creative work) is automatically copyrighted from the moment it is created. 

Copyrighted
You need to seek permission from the work's creator to use it unless your purpose meets the criteria for Fair Use. You must attribute (cite) any copyrighted work you use. 

Fair Use
Fair Use is a user's right to limited use of a copyrighted work without permission or payment under certain conditions. You must attribute (cite) any copyrighted work you use, even under Fair Use conditions.  See: Downloading Images from the Internet

Creative Commons Licenses
A CC license is a type of copyright that allows the creator of a work to specify the ways and conditions under which a work may be used without permission or payment. You must attribute (cite) any CC-licensed work that you use (except CC0). See: Creative Commons

Public Domain and Creative Commons Zero (CC0) 
You may use works in the public domain or with a CC0 license for any purpose without permission. Although you have no legal obligation to cite a CC work, attribution is usually expected in academic environments. Check with your instructor. If you are unsure, cite it anyway.

Creative Commons & Public Domain

Image Search Engines

Library Databases

Finding Visual Aids

Windward Community College Library • 45-720 Keaʻahala Rd. • Kāneʻohe, HI 96744
Content: Creative Commons License Windward Community College Library
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