Licensing — Let's Keep It Simple
I know "licensing" sounds like a word that belongs in a legal document, but I promise this is actually pretty straightforward. Let me walk you through what you actually need to know.
First, the important bit: this site doesn't grant rights to any images. I don't host them. You always need to check the rights on the source page for the specific image you want to use. But here's how to do that confidently.
The Three Things You'll See
When you click through to a museum or library and find an image you love, look for one of these three things:
- Public Domain (PD): The copyright has expired. This work belongs to everyone now. You can use it, remix it, print it, sell it—whatever you like. Look for phrases like "No known copyright restrictions" or "Public Domain".
- CC0 (Creative Commons Zero): The creator or institution has deliberately given up all their rights. It works exactly like Public Domain. Use it freely for anything.
- Rights-Stated (e.g. CC BY): Free to use, but you need to credit the source. The specific terms will be listed on the page—always read them.
The Quick Five-Step Check
- Click through to the image's own detail page on the museum site.
- Find the rights section—it's usually called "Rights & Access", "License", or "Copyright Status".
- Confirm it says Public Domain, CC0, or a permissive license that fits your needs.
- If it's unclear or restricted, just pick a different image. There are millions of free ones out there!
- Save the source URL and the institution's name, even when you don't legally have to. It's good creative practice.
A Few Gotchas Worth Knowing
"Just because an image is old doesn't mean the specific digital scan you're looking at is automatically free to use."
- Check per item, not per site. On the same museum website, one image might be CC0 and the next might be fully copyrighted. Always check the individual item.
- Copyright ≠ trademark. A vintage Coca-Cola poster might be in the public domain, but the trademark is still very much alive. If you're using images commercially, think about what's depicted in them.
- When in doubt, skip it. There are literally millions of confirmed public domain images available. Life is too short to stress over an unclear rights statement.
General information only—not legal advice.