Launching a website dedicated to discussing design and sharing visual resources, presents a real challenge sourcing imagery that is 100% free to use. When it comes to blog writing, use of pictures is particularly relevant to break down information. Articles filled with borrowed memes and hilarious gifs to illustrate a point are particularly enjoyable to ‘read’. But for a startup entrepreneur, the daunting costs of licensing make – not producing any content at all – more appealing than navigating those waters.

There are many blurred lines nowadays when it comes to image sharing and even more challenging – finding the original source. Websites like Pinterest can lead you to a great image but finding the source is like entering an online labyrinth towards the answer.

Giving credit is not enough. It’s important to know the do’s and don’ts when launching a business and it’s never good practice to start out having already stepped outside of boundaries.

Where things get even more confusing is that there is an exception to the rules called ‘Fair Use.’ Normally to use a copyrighted image, you must receive confirmation from the original producer to use it. This can be granted through licensing.

With Fair Use, the creator has an ability to utilize the image without having to ask for permission. But, like many ‘too-good-to-be-true’ things in life – there is of course a catch. In Fair Use, images can be utilized for reporting, educational, comment, criticism – essentially information that can be beneficial to the public.

While we are not subject experts nor lawyers, we discovered a few resources that explained ‘Fair Use’ in plainer text:

1. STANFORD’S SUMMARIES OF FAIR USE CASES

Offers a comprehensive list of examples of Fair Use in application to a range of sectors including Art/Visual, Music, Text, etc.

3. RIVAL IQ’S A GUIDE TO ONLINE IMAGES COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE LAWS

Discover the nitty gritty of Copyright and Fair Use in plain, easy to understand text.

3. INDEPENDANT FASHION BLOGGERS’ FAIR USE EXPLAINED: MORE ON COPYRIGHTED IMAGES ON BLOGS

Copyright laws explained from a fashion blogger perspective.

Bonus. GETTY IMAGES

Embed directly into your blog with the crediting already included. Best part is – it’s legal…whew!

Bonus. UNSPLASH

We have a particular fondness for Unsplash’s stunningly high quality imagery. It offers a large selection and gives an option to credit the creator – if you’re feeling nice that day (which you should every day). You’ll notice many of the images on this website are from Unsplash and while we hope to continue building to produce our own images, it helps get things started and also shows some love to fellow creatives, which is what we’re all about.

Show some love: Photo: Markus Spiske