Are images found using Google images copyright free?
The short answer is probably not. If you use the basic search function on Google images then your returns will include any images that relate to your search terms only. That said, Google images does allow you to tailor searches to limit the ‘types’ of images that are returned. From the Google images advanced search options you are able to select search filters which will return images that have been identified for use in particular ways. The filters are: • Not filtered by licence • Labelled for reuse • Labelled for commercial reuse • Labelled for reuse with modification • Labelled for commercial reuse with modification However, you need to be aware that it is possible that people who have assigned a filter option to a particular image or set of images are not necessarily the owners of copyright. You will need to employ a certain amount of care before using any images returned from a Google image search.
