What is an Editorial License?
An editorial license is a type of stock photo license that allows you to use an image for editorial, non-commercial purposes. These images can be used to illustrate a story, event or news article, and educate readers.
Editorial images are often accompanied by written text that helps tell the story, so they should only be used in this manner. They can also include logos and recognizable people, so it’s important to know how to use them properly to avoid legal repercussions.
What is an Editorial License?
An editorial license is a type of stock photography license that allows users to use an image for news stories and events, as well as educational purposes. These images cannot be used for commercial purposes such as advertising or promoting products or services. They can only be used in truthful and ethical ways and must not include any recognizable people or private property.
Editorial images typically run alongside written text in publications and can be found in newspapers, magazines, and blogs. They are often used to illustrate a news story or an event and can be purchased in the form of a stock photo or video clip.
Many photographers take photos of events such as a political protest or a sports game and make them available for licensing, so that other media outlets can use them to report on the event. Usually, these photographers don’t have any signed releases for the people or private property depicted in the images.
However, these people may still be able to sue you if they think that you used their image for news purposes without their permission. That’s why it’s important to understand the differences between a commercial license and an editorial license, so that you don’t get in trouble.
To determine whether an image is commercial or editorial, look at the watermark and see if it states “Editorial” or something similar. This is a common practice and will help you determine if the image is suitable for your editorial needs.
Some microstock and stock agencies will mark their editorial photos with a notice that reads “Editorial Use Only” or “Editorial License Only.” This is a standard way of letting customers know that the image comes with a license that is only intended for non-commercial uses.
If you’re not sure whether a stock photo you’re searching for comes with an editorial or commercial license, use filters to exclude editorial photos from your search. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally download an editorial image and use it for commercial purposes.
Similarly, some microstock and stock agencies may require model releases for any recognizable people in the photos you’re interested in, including those that are in the crowd. These photos may also need to be accompanied by a property release, so that you are not able to add copyrighted elements to the pictures.
What is the difference between an Editorial License and a Royalty-Free License?
An editorial license is a type of stock photo license that allows you to use a picture in different publications like newspapers, e-books, blogs and other publications for a limited period. It is similar to a royalty-free license, except for the fact that the photos must be used in the body of the article or text, not in the design of the publication or in its cover.
There are several types of editorial licenses on microstock sites like Getty Images, iStock and Shutterstock. Each has its own set of rules for using these photos.
Editorial photos are usually marked as such, and they cannot be used for any commercial purposes. They can only be used in a non-commercial context, such as a newspaper or magazine article where they are used to illustrate matters of public interest. They also must not contain any model or property releases.
Generally, editorial stock photos are used in news articles and blogs. They are meant to be used as documentation of a newsworthy story or event, and are often used for education or informational purposes. They can also be used in social media posts, but they must not be used to promote or advertise a product or service.
Many of these pictures are recognizable and can include logos or business names. They must also be taken from a recognizable location, and have not been staged (the people in the image may have been actors, or their clothing might have been borrowed).
Some of these pictures may include trademarked buildings, and they are not necessarily retouched. You can find many of these pictures in our editorial database, and they are great for use in news or blog articles, as long as they are not manipulated in any way.
When a photo is licensed as editorial, it means that the stock agency believes there is something in the photo that might cause legal issues if it is used for commercial purposes. This could be a trademark or logo, for example, or a copyrighted work of art. The buyer of the photo is responsible for knowing this and ensuring that they don’t breach any of these conditions when they use the photo.
What is the difference between an Editorial License and a Non-Editorial License?
Editorial licenses are used when images run alongside text in publications for newsworthy purposes, like feature stories, education, e-learning, etc. These can include photos of locations, food, and products.
The editorial image license is usually highlighted as such by the stock agency and will allow usage for editorial, non-commercial use only. Depending on the type of use, a photo can be licensed as either a Standard or an Extended license.
A photo that is licensed as an editorial license can contain logos, business names and recognizable people without model releases. It can also be used for a variety of applications that do not involve commercial advertising, such as internal presentations, news articles, blog posts or social media posts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) where the purpose is to inform, educate or entertain.
An editorial license is typically valid for an unlimited number of uses within a certain territory, and it can be used on multiple devices. However, some editorial licenses do not allow a usage on websites or social media sites, so check your licensing agreement for additional terms.
Many microstock agencies offer Editorial photos under this license. These images can be used in a wide range of different publications, including newspapers (print or digital), magazines and blogs, but they cannot be embedded on templates or part of a design of the publication, nor can they be used in the cover.
Another difference between editorial and commercial photography is that editorial photographs are usually not staged, and they do not have signed model or property releases. This is because the photographer’s client is the publication.
When a photographer shoots for an editorial publication, the contract with the publishing company grants exclusive rights to the photograph. This often lasts a specified period of time, or until the contract is renewed.
Some publications might also syndicate the images to other publications, which is a common practice. These may not always require a signed model release, but they might ask for property releases, which are required to use an image of recognisable personal property or famous trademarks.
The photographer should ensure that all recognizable people are represented, and that they have signed model and property releases to allow the use of their images for editorial purposes. This will help avoid any copyright issues when using the image in a commercial design.
What is the difference between an Editorial License and a Commercial License?
An editorial license is a license that allows you to use a stock image for news or educational purposes, without the option to monetize it. You can use these images in newspapers, magazines, blogs and e-books.
These types of photos are used to document a news story or event, and can include logos and recognizable people. They can also be used for education and teaching, and are often run alongside written text in publications to enhance the storytelling experience.
Typical subjects that can be found in Editorial Photos include celebrities and sports events, public events, trademarked buildings, and large crowds. These photos can also be used to illustrate stories about important news events or social issues, or a variety of cultural topics.
Commercial Photos are a different type of photo, and they are the ones that are used for advertising and commercializing a product or service. Typically, commercial photos contain branded products or recognizable people and require the photographer to secure model releases and property releases from these individuals before publication.
Many microstock agencies mark their Editorial Photos as “Editorial Use Only” or “Editorial License Only.” This is a very clear indication that these photos are meant for editorial purposes and can be used in articles of magazines, newspapers, etc.
This can be an important difference for photographers and creatives who are trying to avoid copyright issues with their work. However, it’s important to note that this does not work the other way around, so you should always check if there are any model releases or property releases before using your photos in commercial projects.
The best way to determine whether your project is an editorial or commercial project is to ask yourself if the end-use you plan on creating is in connection with a not-for-profit. If it is, then the project is an editorial use case and will be purchased under an editorial license.
However, if the end-use you are producing is in connection with your business or for a profit, then the project will most likely be considered a commercial use case and will require the purchase of a commercial license.