Good news for bloggers as Getty allows free use of 35 mn photos
07 Mar 2014
In a surprise move that shows unexpected generosity, Getty Images, the world's largest photo service, has thrown open a treasure-trove of some 35 million photos spanning a hundred years for free embedding by legitimate, non-commercial users, including news web sites.
One of the most difficult parts about running a frequently updated website or blog is finding relevant or amusing images that are legal to use. This will now get a lot easier – though people wishing to access the photos without attracting lawsuits will need to obtain the company's new Embedded Viewer tool.
These images will not contain a watermark, though people who post them will need to abide by the company's terms of use. These say:
"You may only use embedded Getty Images content for editorial purposes (meaning relating to events that are newsworthy or of public interest). Embedded Getty Images content may not be used: (a) for any commercial purpose (for example, in advertising, promotions or merchandising) or to suggest endorsement or sponsorship; (b) in violation of any stated restriction; (c) in a defamatory, pornographic or otherwise unlawful manner; or (d) outside of the context of the Embedded Viewer," Getty Images states.
Images that are free to use can change at any time, and if they do, users agree to remove images upon request. That said, the process of finding and posting a Getty Image is rather simple -- all you have to do is type in what you're searching for on the Getty Images website. Once you find an image, click its embed icon from the search results or image details page, copy the embed code, paste it into the source code for your web site, and publish. While there won't be a watermark, there will be a footer underneath the photo giving credit (and linking back to) Getty Images.
Experts say this change won't eliminate Getty Images' need to patrol and fight copyright violations, but it allows the stock photo company to boost its image and track the non-commercial distribution of its photos.