Before publishing
Commercial image use checklist
An open copyright license is only one layer of a reuse decision. Work through each check for the exact item.
- 1
Verify the item-level license
Open the original source record and confirm the exact file, creator, rights statement, and version.
- 2
Check identifiable people
Copyright permission may not cover privacy, publicity, personality, or model-release rights.
- 3
Look for brands and marks
Logos, trade dress, product designs, and trademarks can carry separate restrictions.
- 4
Inspect embedded works
Art, architecture, text, screens, and music shown inside a work may have separate rights.
- 5
Review the intended context
Avoid misleading endorsement, defamatory presentation, and sensitive or deceptive use.
- 6
Save your evidence
Keep the source URL, screenshot, rights statement, access date, and your final attribution.
This is general information, not legal advice. For license conditions, use License Lens.