Can you use cheap stock photos for that? This is probably the most responsible question every creative professional should ask before they incorporate an image to their project. Since cheap stock photo sites are the most affordable way to quickly get cheap photos for your creative projects. The images are important to artists and photographers as well as individuals like you. Thus, it is important that you do not steal or misuse art.
Here are some quick and easy answers on the proper use of cheap stock images:
- Using cheap photos as part of your logo, trademark, service mark or design mark
The whole purpose of having a trademark or logo is to represent your company uniquely in the marketplace. How can your logo be unique if you are using stock images that thousands of other people use? Besides, it also violates the content license agreement, which could lead to financial and legal damages. - Using cheap stock images on reselling t-shirt, apparels and other products without an Extended license
Are you planning to resell a product with a royalty-free photo printed on it? You need to purchase an Extended license, which you can get for an additional fee. Downloading a royalty-free image does not guarantee that you can do anything with it. There are certain items in the original license that limits you to resell images as part of products. If you intend to do so, you get an Extended license. It gives you more freedom than the Standard license. - Redistributing stock photos cheap as complimentary gifts without an Extended license
As mentioned above, downloading high quality, royalty-free stock images with a Standard license does not give you the right to redistribute them for free or as gifts. You need an Extended license to do that. However, you still need to read the Extended license agreement because they too are subject to some restrictions.
Depicting a model in sensitive or libelous way. How would you like your photo taken and labeled with sensitive statement? You probably would not like it because it is a violation of your rights. The same is true with models and artists. Neither a Standard license nor Extended one can save you from legal charges when this happens. Even if you are using the images for a good cause, make sure that you are not violating any item in the license agreement.
Many people are still not aware of the proper use of cheap stock images. It is a good thing we are here to educate them. Whether you are purchasing an image with a Standard or Extended license, it is always best to read the license agreement to make sure you are and will not violate any terms.