Free to Use or Share: Images, Audio, & Video : Alternatives

Copyright law allows for some uses of otherwise protected materials.  For more information about how and when you might make a "fair use" of copyrighted materials, see this fair use information page.  When you can't rely on fair use, you may find options among public domain or more openly licensed resources referenced elsewhere in this guide.

When you can't rely on fair use AND you can't find resources you can use and share, you might instead refer people to materials that others are making legally and freely available online even though you don't have the right to copy or distribute the materials yourself.

When you need to use a particular item and your use wouldn't be considered a "fair use", then you can still request permission to use the material from the copyright holder.  Sometimes the copyright holder will charge for that use, but often you can get permission to use the material for no charge.

• Getting Permission: Where and How.  Washington State University
• Requesting Permission. Columbia University Libraries/Information Services Copyright Advisory Office.