Using Images:

Copyright guidelines for the use of images in education

Did you know?
The images you find online are most
likely protected by copyright, regardlessof whether any copyright statement isdisplayed. Copyright protection applies
instantly and automatically when a newwork is created; no copyright notice orregistration is required.

Context matters
You have more flexibility to use
copyrighted materials in the classroom
due to the restricted audience andeducational setting. If you would like tomake your project available to a wider
audience, you must reevaluate your useof others’ copyrighted material. You may
need to rely on a different copyrightexception or ask permission.

Find images
Find public domain, Creative Commonslicensed, and copyrighted images:• go.osu.edu/hsl_images• wordpress.org/openverse• flickr.com/creativecommons• go.osu.edu/google-search• go.osu.edu/public-domain-resources
Remember to check each source andimage for copyright information andlicensing requirements!

Options for using images
In the classroom
Section 110(1) of the U.S. Copyright Law permits the performanceor display of copyrighted materials, including images, videos andmusic, in the course of face-to-face teaching activities at a nonprofit
educational institution. The copyrighted work must be acquired
legally.
This exception allows the use of images in lecture or presentationmaterials. Students may also use images in course assignments suchas a paper, thesis, poster or other work as per class assignments anddegree fulfillment requirements.

For online learning via Carmen or otherclosed course Section 110(2) of the U.S. Copyright Law

allows the performance or display of copyrighted materials, including
images, videos, and music for online learning provided that certain
conditions are met.
Visit go.osu.edu/110 to learn more about these requirements.

Cite your sources
Provide attributions to the known
copyright owner(s) of each image. These
citations demonstrate responsible use
and are a scholarly tradition; however,you cannot avoid copyright infringement
simply by crediting the source.
• At minimum, provide the author’s
name, title of the image (if available)
and source of the image.
• Include any additional information
required by terms of use or license.
• Insert citation under the image in smallfont, as a footnote or as an endnote.
For citation examples and detailed
instructions for Creative Commonslicensed works, visit:go.osu.edu/cite-images.

Beyond the classroom

You have several options for using images in projects witha wider audience, such as conference presentations, blogs,websites, open online courses or publications. One option will
not fit every situation; you must determine which best fulfills
your need while complying with copyright law.

Fair use
The fair use doctrine (Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law)
allows the use of copyrighted works to support activities such asteaching, research and scholarship. However, these educational
uses are not automatically considered fair use.
A four-factor analysis is used to determine fair use; all four
factors are equally important and must be weighed together.
The four factors are: purpose of use, nature of use, amount ofwork being used and the effect of the use on the commercial
market. Visit go.osu.edu/fair-use.

Comply with an available license
or find an alternative
If you do not require a specific image, there may be analternative available with fewer or no copyright restrictions.

Contact
Copyright Services
libcopyright@osu.edu
614-688-5849
go.osu.edu/copyright
Copyright Services at theHealth Sciences Library• Some sources will allow you to use their images without
further permission or paying a fee provided you comply with
their stated license terms, such as attribution required or
noncommercial uses only. Creative Commons licenses arefrequently used in this regard. Visit creativecommons.org/
licenses to learn more.
• Public domain images generally include those published before
1923 or produced by the federal government. Works in thepublic domain are not protected by copyright. Available to thepublic (e.g. online) is not the same thing as public domain.
• Make it yourself! You own the copyright if you create a newimage or take an original photo.

Prior Hall

Request permission

copyright@osumc.edu
614-292-4892

If none of the above options apply or if you would simply feel
more comfortable, you may contact a copyright holder and seek
permission to use their work.

go.osu.edu/hsl_copyright

Visit go.osu.edu/permission for more information.