Images copyright headache...

Photograph by Horia Varlan. Thank you for enabling use of your photograph via an 'attributions' license.

This space was going to be used for a screen shot of the search facility on the FlicStackrXP app…however, we stopped to think! Yes, the screenshot is ours…but does this breach any original copyright. When in doubt….!! (If anyone can advise us on this, please leave a comment.)

Over the last few weeks one issue has arisen repeatedly during discussions with schools and educators - the increasing headache surrounding the use of images on the internet. 

Schools have well-established routines regarding permission to take and use photographs of their pupils. 

The headache described recently is more to do with children and young people using the internet to create class blogs, websites etc and accessing images to support their writing and ideas. The copyright status of images that are easily accessible on the internet, can often be confusing or simply not visible - both for the young learners and educators involved. 

Recently we have been using the 'FlickStackrXP' app which clearly identifies the copyright status of any image. You can also search purely for images that have a 'Creative Commons License' attached. There are various licenses available and it would be worth following this link for a detailed explanation on each.

The Flickr website gives the same options as the app within the 'advanced search' area - the last search feature offers a 'creative commons' only search.

It may be time well spent educating yourself in this area…as well as your students. Many photographers welcome the use of images they make available on the internet - particularly in education circles - they  simply ask to be acknowledged. However, some do not…protecting yourself and your school is the best way forward.