Royalty-Free vs Copyright-Free Images - Which one should you choose?

<p>If you are a creator, you must have used stock images and videos for your B-roll.</p><p>However, have you ever thought if the images/videos you used are royalty-free or copyright-free?</p><p>While they seem the same, there is a stark difference between both types of licenses.</p><p>TLDR; Royalty-free images are generally not free but let you use them with some restrictions, without paying royalty fees for every use. On the other hand, Copyright-free images are usually free and can be used however you want without any restrictions. </p><p>We will discuss more about Royalty-free and Copyright-free images in this article.</p><h2 id="what-is-the-royalty-free-image">What is the Royalty-Free image?</h2><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/04/Royalty-Free-Images-on-Pexel-1.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="Pixabay Provides Royalty Free images" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="590" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/Royalty-Free-Images-on-Pexel-1.jpg 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1000/2024/04/Royalty-Free-Images-on-Pexel-1.jpg 1000w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1600/2024/04/Royalty-Free-Images-on-Pexel-1.jpg 1600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w2400/2024/04/Royalty-Free-Images-on-Pexel-1.jpg 2400w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"><figcaption><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pixabay Provides Royalty Free images on their site</span></figcaption></figure><p>Royalty-free refers to a type of license that allows you to use creative works like images, videos, or music without paying ongoing fees for each use. Here's a breakdown of what it means</p><p>While the term "royalty-free" might sound like it means free, you'll often have to pay a one-time fee to obtain the license. However, this flat fee "frees" you from having to pay royalties every time you use the material.</p><p>Even though the content is royalty-free, it's still protected by copyright law. The creator maintains ownership, and the license agreement will specify how you can use the copyrighted work.</p><h3 id="benefits-of-royalty-free">Benefits of Royalty-Free</h3><ul><li>Cost-effective for frequent use: If you plan to use the content multiple times, a royalty-free license can be a good option because you only pay once.</li><li>Easy to use: Royalty-free licenses are generally straightforward and simpler to understand than other licensing agreements.</li></ul><h3 id="things-to-consider">Things to Consider</h3><ul><li>License restrictions: There might be limitations on how you can use the content, such as for commercial purposes only or specific distribution channels. Be sure to carefully read the license details.</li><li>Copyright still applies: While you don't have to pay recurring royalties, you must still follow the terms of the license agreement, which is governed by copyright law.</li></ul><h2 id="what-are-copyright-free-images">What are Copyright-Free Images?</h2><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/04/Copyright-Free-image-Licence-on-Unsplash.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="Unsplash mentioned about the Copyright Free image they provide and how you can use them" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="980" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/Copyright-Free-image-Licence-on-Unsplash.jpg 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1000/2024/04/Copyright-Free-image-Licence-on-Unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1600/2024/04/Copyright-Free-image-Licence-on-Unsplash.jpg 1600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w2400/2024/04/Copyright-Free-image-Licence-on-Unsplash.jpg 2400w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"><figcaption><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Unsplash mentioned about the Copyright Free image they provide and how you can use them</span></figcaption></figure><p>Copyright-free means the images are not protected by copyright and can be used by anyone without the need for permission or paying fees. There are different ways an image can be copyright-free:</p><ul><li><strong>Public Domain -</strong> Images where the copyright has expired or that were never copyrighted to begin with.</li><li><strong>Creative Commons CC0 </strong>- The creator deliberately released the image as copyright-free under a CC0 public domain dedication.</li><li><strong>No Copyright Notice -</strong> In some regions, images published without a copyright notice are considered copyright-free by default (but this has risks).</li></ul><hr><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://jupitrr.com/blog/are-stock-photos-copyrighted?ref=jupitrr.ghost.io">Are Stock Photos Copyrighted?</a></p><hr><h3 id="benefits-of-using-copyright-free-images">Benefits of Using Copyright-Free Images</h3><ul><li><strong>Creative freedom:</strong> You can use, modify and share, copyright-free images for any purpose without restrictions.</li><li><strong>No licensing hassles: </strong>No need to get a license or negotiate terms with the copyright holder.</li><li><strong>Cost-effective: </strong>Completely free to use without paying fees.</li></ul><h3 id="things-to-consider-1">Things to Consider</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/04/Pexel-asking-for-credits.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="Pexel ask to donate to the creators as a courtesy " loading="lazy" width="2000" height="994" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/Pexel-asking-for-credits.jpg 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1000/2024/04/Pexel-asking-for-credits.jpg 1000w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1600/2024/04/Pexel-asking-for-credits.jpg 1600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w2400/2024/04/Pexel-asking-for-credits.jpg 2400w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"><figcaption><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pexel asks to donate to the creators as a courtesy </span></figcaption></figure><ul><li>Originality and quality can vary across copyright-free image sources.</li><li>While not legally required, some creators may request courtesy attribution.</li><li>Verifying true copyright-free status is crucial - use reputable sources clearly labeling the images as such.</li></ul><h2 id="royalty-free-vs-copyright-free-images">Royalty-Free Vs Copyright-Free Images</h2><table> <thead> <tr> <th>Feature</th> <th>Royalty-Free Image</th> <th>Copyright-Free Image</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Upfront Cost</td> <td>One-time fee</td> <td>Free</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Copyright</td> <td>Protected by copyright</td> <td>Not protected by copyright</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Usage Restrictions</td> <td>May have limitations on use (check license)</td> <td>Freely usable for any purpose</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Attribution</td> <td>Not required</td> <td>May be requested as a courtesy</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Originality</td> <td>Might lack originality due to wider use</td> <td>May vary in originality</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Verification of Status</td> <td>Read license details</td> <td>Verify source</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2 id="use-cases-of-royalty-free-images">Use Cases of Royalty-Free Images</h2><ol><li><strong>Commercial Projects:</strong> Royalty-free images are often used in commercial projects, such as advertising campaigns, product packaging, and marketing materials, where multiple and repeated use is required.</li><li><strong>Web Design: </strong>Web designers and developers frequently use royalty-free images for websites, blogs, and other online platforms, as these images can be used indefinitely without paying additional fees.</li><li><strong>Multimedia Productions: </strong>Royalty-free images are popular in multimedia productions, such as videos, presentations, and e-learning courses, where the same images may be used multiple times.</li><li><strong>Print Materials:</strong> Brochures, catalogs, magazines, and other print materials often incorporate royalty-free images, as the one-time fee makes it cost-effective for widespread distribution.</li><li><strong>Social Media:</strong> Businesses and individuals use royalty-free images for social media posts, cover photos, and other online content to enhance their visual presence.</li></ol><h2 id="use-cases-of-copyright-free-images">Use Cases of Copyright-Free Images</h2><ol><li><strong>Personal Projects:</strong> Copyright-free images are ideal for personal projects, such as blogs, websites, and social media posts, where there are no commercial intentions.</li><li><strong>Educational Resources: </strong>Educational institutions, teachers, and students can freely use copyright-free images in their educational materials, presentations, and projects without worrying about licensing fees or restrictions.</li><li><strong>Non-Profit Organizations:</strong> Non-profit organizations and charities often rely on copyright-free images for their websites, marketing materials, and fundraising campaigns to keep costs low.</li><li><strong>Open-Source Projects: </strong>Developers working on open-source projects may use copyright-free images, as these projects often require unrestricted usage and modification rights.</li><li><strong>Creative Works: </strong>Artists, designers, and other creatives can incorporate copyright-free images into their artworks, designs, or derivative works without infringing on copyrights.</li></ol><h2 id="which-one-should-you-chooseroyalty-free-or-copyright-free-images">Which one should you choose - Royalty Free or Copyright Free images?</h2><p>The choice between using royalty-free images or copyright-free images depends on your specific needs and the nature of your project. Here are some factors to consider when deciding which type of image to use:</p><h3 id="royalty-free-images">Royalty-Free Images</h3><ul><li>Suitable for commercial projects where you need to use the same image multiple times or in various contexts</li><li>Provides a level of legal protection as you have a valid license to use the image within the terms specified</li><li>Often higher quality and more professional than many copyright-free options</li><li>Typically more expensive upfront cost (one-time fee)</li><li>Usage is restricted by the license terms (e.g., may not allow modification, redistribution, etc.)</li></ul><h3 id="copyright-free-images">Copyright-Free Images</h3><ul><li>Ideal for personal, non-commercial, or educational projects with no intention of generating revenue</li><li>Completely free to use without any licensing fees or restrictions</li><li>Can be modified, distributed, and used for any purpose without limitation</li><li>Quality and originality can vary widely, as these images are often in the public domain or released under permissive licenses</li><li>Need to verify the copyright status carefully to ensure the image is truly copyright-free and avoid infringement risks</li></ul><h2 id="how-to-add-copyright-free-images-to-your-video">How to add Copyright-Free Images to your Video?</h2><p>To make it simple for you to find and add the most relevant copyright images or video clips to your videos, we have updated our AI B-roll generator.</p><p>To add a copyright-free image to your video, follow these steps:</p><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/04/Jupitrr-DEMO-2.gif" class="kg-image" alt="Adding Copyright Free Stock Video/Image to your Video" loading="lazy" width="600" height="373" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/04/Jupitrr-DEMO-2.gif 600w"><figcaption><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Adding Copyright Free Stock Video/Image to your Video</span></figcaption></figure><ul><li>Go to <a href="https://jupitrr.com/create-slideshow?ref=jupitrr.ghost.io" rel="noreferrer">Jupitrr AI Video</a></li><li>Upload your video</li><li>Highlight the part where you want to add the image</li><li>Click on "Generate image"</li></ul><p>If you do not like the image, you can highlight it again and click on "Generate with another keyword" where you will find a plethora of copyright-free stock images to use in your video.</p><div class="kg-card kg-button-card kg-align-center"><a href="https://jupitrr.com/?ref=jupitrr.ghost.io" class="kg-btn kg-btn-accent">Try Jupitrr for Free</a></div>