Using others’ images
What rules apply when you want to use someone else’s image, table, or diagram in your work?
Photo: young photographer av muha... licens Creative Commons BY 2.0
In academic writing you cite and refer to others’ texts, and this is absolutely acceptable according to the rules of copyright, as long as you follow the formal conventions surrounding citations and references. But what are the rules for using others’ images?
If you want to use someone’s image, table or diagram you cannot simply reference the source from which you took the image - you are also required to ask for permission to use the image from the author before including an image in your work. Of course, you must also provide a clear reference for the source of the image. To obtain permission, you need to contact the author or publisher (the party that holds the economic rights to the work). Permission does not need to be provided in any specific way - it can be either by word of mouth or in writing.
Find images that are free to use with Creative Commons!
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