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WPI Copyright Policy and Guidance: Images

Where to Look for Free-to-Use Images

Google Images Advanced Search

Try filtering your image search in Google Image Advanced Search mode in order to find images that are safe for you to use in non-commercial projects.

 

How to Check If An Image Is Free To Use

Are you not sure if an image is free to use?  Check using a reverse image service. Use these services when you have found an image - whether it is a photograph, artwork, or even a graph - and you want to know where it came from, or more about it.

 

 

Charts, Tables, and Graphs

Charts, graphs, and tables are not subject to copyright protection because they do not meet one of the key requirements for copyright protection, which is that they are not “original works of authorship” under the definitions in the Copyright Act. Facts and data aren't considered original works of authorship and therefore are generally not under copyright protection because they are regarded as “discovered” and “recorded” natural phenomena rather than “created.” Keep in mind however, that some countries do protect data and data sets, so if you are planning on taking your data abroad, be aware that the rules may not be the same as in the U.S. But, your use of data within the United States, for example, on servers in the U.S., is acceptable. Only in cases where a chart, table, or graph creatively represents more than just an expression of the underlying data, would the works be considered under copyright (e.g., a bar graph on U.S. immigration data created in the likeness of a U.S. flag). If you do need permission, refer to WPI's webpage on Requesting permission for information and a sample letter to adapt.

 For examples of charts, tables and graphs that are NOT subject to copyright, as well as an example of a graph that IS subject to copyright, see the examples listed at the University of Michigan's Copyright website: http://www.lib.umich.edu/copyright/copyright-info/charts-tables-graphs

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