Google simplifies search process for copyright friendly images

by | Jan 21, 2014 | Copyright, Creative Commons, Intellectual Property

Finding copyright free images via Google’s robust search engine just got easier.  Matt Cutts, head of Google’s Webspam team, tweeted (see image below) about the ease of finding image usage rights through the newly updated “Search tools” option. In the past, finding copyright free images required clicking through multiple advanced search options to find usage rights. The new shortcut simplifies the process.

google-image-search

As you can seen in the image below, all you need to do is:
1. Type in your search term
2. Click on “Images”
3. Click on “Search tools,” which will open a secondary menu below. Click on “Usage Rights”
4. Select your image filtering option

Google Search

5. Now select the image you would like to use; then click on the image again to bring up the Creative Commons licensing. Depending on where the image is located (Flickr, Wikimedia Commons, etc.), you may have to hunt for the specific licensing requirements. For example, when we click on the image of the daffodil below, photographer David R. Tribble has granted permission for reuse via Creative Commons requiring that users credit him (attribution).

daffodil
Image Source: David R. Tribble

Creative Commons

You are free:

  • to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work
  • to remix – to adapt the work

Under the following conditions:

attribution – You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).
share alike – If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under the same or similar license to this one.

To keep Elk Grove Unified School District staff informed about Google search tips as well as copyright and fair use issues, EGUSD’s Technology Service’s Department continues to offer their Just Google It! and Teaching Copyright Fair Use to the Remix Generation workshops.

We extend an invite to all EGUSD employees interested in attending these workshops. Registration is available online through ERO.
Just Google It! – January 23, 2014 – 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Teaching Copyright Fair Use to the Remix Generation – March 4, 2014 – 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

ELK GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTICT - DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP ©2024