CC0 Free Gallery: Understand the Legality and Potential Legal Risks of Image Use

Images can make content more vivid and attractive, and play an extremely important part on blogs, social media, websites and other platforms, but if you use unauthorized images, you may be involved in copyright infringement, or even get into a lawsuit unknowingly. Therefore, when using pictures, users must clearly understand what pictures can be used and which pictures are prohibited. Nowadays, there are many websites that provide CC0 free gallery service. These pictures have been specifically authorized, so that users can use the picture material with peace of mind without worrying about copyright infringement. Let’s take a look at what is CC0 free gallery~

What kind of pictures can be used for creation?


Common resources include the following three types:

  1. CC0 image: When a picture is marked with CC0 authorization, it means that you can use it freely, including for commercial purposes, without worrying about copyright infringement.
  2. public domain images: The copyright of these pictures has expired, or is no longer protected by copyright for other reasons, so they can also be used freely.
  3. Creative Commons License: Some images authorized by Creative Commons CC can also be used for free, but please pay attention to the specific licensing conditions of the images, some may require attribution or may not be used for commercial purposes.

What is CC0?


CC0, full name "Creative Commons Zero", is a licensing term proposed by Creative Commons, which is an extremely loose licensing method.Let the original author release the work into the public domain, giving up all copyright and related rights and interests. Works authorized by CC0 are no longer protected by copyright law, so anyone can legally use, modify, distribute, and even use commercially without obtaining authorization from the original author or paying fees. Therefore, the images in the CC0 free gallery are very popular resources, because they allow users to freely use these images for creative purposes without worrying about copyright infringement.

The CC0 gallery is free, but it must still be used legally!


Although the CC0 authorization is very permissive, there are still some usage conditions and caveats that need to be followed to ensure that usage is legal.

  1. Confirm authorization: Before using the CC0 gallery, be sure to confirm that the picture is indeed marked with CC0 authorization, usually this information will be displayed below the picture or on the terms of use page of the website.
  2. right of personality: Although CC0 allows commercial use and modification, do not infringe on the moral rights of the author, including acts that offend, mislead, demean, and insult the original author.
  3. identification certificate: Although CC0 does not require the original author to be marked or identified, users are still encouraged to indicate the source under appropriate circumstances. This not only respects the original author, but also helps other users find more high-quality CC0 pictures .

Potential Risks of Using CC0 Libraries!


While CC0 free stock photos offer many advantages, there are also potential risks to be aware of.

  1. improper use: Please pay attention to the background and connotation of the content when using pictures, and avoid using pictures in insulting, pornographic, violent or discriminatory content, such use may violate the law.
  2. Name and likeness issues: The picture may contain other people's names or portraits, these rights are not affected by CC0 authorization, unauthorized use may violate portrait rights or privacy rights.
  3. Website Credibility Issues: When using CC0 free gallery, you should give priority to choosing a reputable gallery website to ensure that the source and authorization of the picture are authentic and reliable.

What are the CC0 free galleries?


1. Unsplash

Unsplash is a very well-known CC0 free gallery, all photos can be downloaded and used for free, regardless of commercial or non-commercial use, no need to obtain the original author's permission, but it is not allowed to use photos for commercial purposes without major modifications , nor can it aggregate photos from Unsplash to replicate similar web services.

2. Pexels

In addition to pictures, Pexels also has a lot of video materials, all of which are free and can be downloaded and used at will. The authorization is similar to that of various CC0 free websites.

3. pixabay

All content on Pixabay is free to use. In addition to free pictures, there are also illustrations, videos, audio files, GIF animations, etc. All content can be modified and new works are created without acknowledging the source.

4. Pxhere

All photos of Pxhere are licensed under the CC0 license. The special thing about this website is that it provides short codes. If you want to use a picture from this website in an article, you don’t need to download the picture to occupy the storage space of the website. You can just copy the short code and embed it directly in the article.

5. Piqsels

The CC0 free gallery with rich pictures can be searched in Chinese, and provides various picture download sizes. You can choose the size you need according to your needs, saving you the trouble of cutting.

6. Hippopx

The CC0 free gallery with a huge collection can be searched in Chinese. It provides a variety of image download sizes, and you can choose the size you need according to your needs, saving you the trouble of cutting.

7. StockSnap

StockSnap is also a free gallery licensed by CC0. Currently, it can only be searched in English.

8. Free Gallery Search Engine

This is my very commonly used CC0 gallery search engine. This team has integrated all CC0 free gallery. With this search engine, you don’t have to go to individual gallery websites to search, or find the pictures you need, and then enter Individual websites conduct further searches, which can save a lot of process and time.

epilogue


CC0 Free Gallery provides great convenience for digital content creators, who can freely use pictures without infringing copyright. However, when using CC0 pictures or other free stock images, you still need to be careful to ensure that the pictures are authorized legally and used in a reasonable way to avoid potential copyright risks. Mastering this knowledge can help us use exquisite picture materials more confidently and legally in our creation. After all, no one wants to be sued in court because of a picture, right? !

References


1. Creative Commons License Terms - Wikipedia

2. 47 Free Commercial Images! Copyright-free, high-resolution, commercially available picture material download – Zhang Yingzhen

3. The pictures in the article are all from the CC0 free gallery.

I am very grateful for your sharing!!!
MillionQuesn
Million Quesn

A foreigner living in Taiwan, sharing the highlights of a sudden flash of inspiration.

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