If you’re looking for free images for your website or blog, then check out Flickr’s new Creative Commons page.

Many Flickr users offer their work under a Creative Commons license, and you can browse or search through content under each type of license. Confused about the different CC licenses? Here is what the different Creative Commons licenses mean.

Attribution icon means:

You let others copy, distribute, display, and perform your copyrighted work – and derivative works based upon it – but only if they give you credit.

Noncommercial icon means:

You let others copy, distribute, display, and perform your work – and derivative works based upon it – but for noncommercial purposes only.

No Derivative Works icon means:

You let others copy, distribute, display, and perform only verbatim copies of your work, not derivative works based upon it.

Share Alike icon means:

You allow others to distribute derivative works only under a license identical to the license that governs your work.

Which license is right for you?

The Flickr Creative Commons website has a wizard that helps you choose the license most appropriate to your needs.

You might like to read:

• A list of all 6 licenses and their explanations,
• The Creative Commons FAQ, or
• Information specifically for photographers & illustrators.

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/

To be honest, I find all this a bit too much.

Do you think there should be one master CC license?

Would this simplify or complicate things?

Paul Pehrson, over on Technically Speaking, makes the point that content developers have a responsibility to ensure that content is used properly and legally. Why? He gives the example of NBC, who is being sued for using somebody else’s intellectual property, without properly licensing it.

He also lists some tips for using intellectual property properly:

• When you use somebody’s material, get their written permission to use it, including exactly how it will be used.
• Don’t assume that people put the content on the Internet so it can be used.
• If you purchase stock photography, make sure you abide by the terms of the license agreement.
• If you create something while at work, remember that this work belongs to your employer—not you!
• If you make a derivative work, you have to be sure you are licensed to do so.
• “Fair use” is a defense in court; it is not a legal protection, per se.
• When in doubt, don’t do it.

Paul also makes the point that if, for example, you create a Help system that includes a Creative Commons Share Alike image, then “your entire help system may also be required to be licensed under a Creative Commons Share Alike license.”

Paul Pehrson: http://blog.paulpehrson.com/2009/10/13/intellectual-property-responsibilities-of-content-developers/

I hadn’t thought of it like this as I assumed that if I give credit for the single image, then I’m covered legally.

What’s your take on using images with Creative Commons licenses?

Is it worth the effort or should I register with one of the professional image companies?