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Images

What are usage rights?

Usage rights tell the user what they can and cannot legally do with images that they wish to reuse.

A Brief Summary of Types of Usage Rights (from Google Support)

  • Free to use or share: Allows you to copy or redistribute its content if the content remains unchanged.
  • Free to use, share, or modify: Allows you to copy, modify, or redistribute in ways specified in the license.
  • Commercially: If you want content for commercial use, be sure to select an option that includes the word "commercially"

Find more information on this topic at:

Copyright-Friendly Pictures, Videos, and Sounds

For a quick guide and explanation of where to find media for classroom projects, visit the list made by Richard Byrne, of Free Technology for Teachers site and newsletter, available as a Google Doc or as a PDF (via Box).

Image Searching

Use Creative Commons to look for images that have licenses that fit your use, or to see if you can locate the license for a particular image that you have.

  • If you are unsure if permission has been granted to use an image, try checking at Creative Commons
  • Enter terms in their Search Query to look for the exact image, or to see if a similar image is available with appropriate licenses to use for your situation.  
  • Check the CC license for each image you wish to use regarding use, attribution, etc.
Last updated on Sep 9, 2025 1:38 PM