3.4.2 Finding images using image databases

Another option is to use copyright cleared image databases. Copyright cleared images are images which have been made available for use under various conditions. This means that the owner of the image has given permission for their image to be used in accordance with the terms stipulated. Many images have been copyright cleared for educational purposes. Such images can be found in image databases which are unable to be indexed by Google. One such resource is MediaPlus [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] (a service delivered to the UK higher and further education community in association with JISC). Images covered by the eCollections licence are copyright cleared for subscribers to use in education, but the source and copyright owner must always be acknowledged. For subscribing institutions, this means that these images:

• can be included in teaching materials or assignments
• can be placed within a password protected environment like your course website
• may NOT be uploaded to YouTube or Facebook
• the source and copyright owner must always be acknowledged.

If an image is not part of the eCollection you need to click on the link to the collection holder’s site to find out more about copyright and terms of use. You can limit your search to just see records that are covered by the eCollections licence. It is recommended that you read the terms and conditions of each resource if you are unsure about the use of an image.