Copyright: images
This article is the second in a series from the Knowledge Services team on issues relating to copyright, to help promote good copyright practices within NHS Lanarkshire. This article will cover how to use images correctly, where to find freely available images and images that require payment to use.
Not all images found online can be reused freely. The creators of creative content own the copyright to their work and may have restrictions on the ways in which they would allow their content to be reused by others. Not complying with copyright licenses can result in legal action being taken.
The NHS must therefore ensure that all the digital/print media it uses within documents, presentations, posters or leaflets are used correctly and with permission.
Amanda Minns, head of evidence, said: “If you are re-using images you have found online, it’s important to make sure you are doing so legally. This article includes some tips on where to find copyright free images and when you might have to pay.”
Where can I find images I can use for free?
If you are looking for images you can use freely without cost, there are a number of places you can look. Some of the most popular sources are:
- NHS Scotland Photo Library (https://nhsscotlandphotolibrary.org/)
The photo library provides access to free images of staff and patients in clinical settings. To access the library, register with your NHS Lanarkshire email address and you will be sent log-in details. You will then be able to search for images and download them to use free of charge.
- Creative Commons (https://search.creativecommons.org/)
You can find freely available images on the Creative Commons website. Just use the search box to browse images. You can use the options on the left to filter your results depending on how you wish to use the image, the image licence or type of image.
Although the images on Creative Commons are free to use, they have certain conditions attached to them. You must always acknowledge the creator and some licences will carry restrictions. Read the previous Pulse article on Creative Commons as a reminder on the different licences and what they mean here: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/pulse-special-focus-on-copyright-first-instalment/
Google Images
As previously stated, not all images found online are freely available to use. You can, however, also use Google Images to find images with Creative Commons licenses. Once you have entered your search, click on ‘Tools’ then ‘Usage Rights’ and select ‘Creative Commons licenses’.
Again, make sure to abide by any restrictions mention in the license.
Other sites
Other useful sites where you can search for free images are:
- Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/
- Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Paid images
If you are unable to find any suitable free images for your work, there is usually a greater choice on sites that charge you for use of their images. The cost of images from these sites can vary depending on the size of the image and the license you choose. The license will determine how you can use the image – some sites allow for one-off usage while others allow unlimited use. Some licenses might charge a different amount for print or online usage. When using images that you have paid for, always make sure you are following the terms of the license.
Some popular image sites are:
- Shutterstock: https://www.shutterstock.com
- Getty Images: https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/
- istockphoto: https://www.istockphoto.com/
- Fotosearch: https://www.fotosearch.co.uk/
- Dreamstime: https://www.dreamstime.com/
If you have any questions regarding copyright, please email libraries@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or log a request on ServiceNow. To find how to do this, visit the copyright page on FirstPort at http://firstport2/staff-support/knowledge-services/copyright/default.aspx
