It is best to protect your interests and use stock photos for your personal, commercial and marketing needs. Public credit does not provide copyright permission nor are Flickr photos public domain. It is illegal to use someone else’s work without permission. What if I just use the Flickr photo and credit the photographerįlickr photos are copyrighted and require written permission and consent from the photographer. Let the photographer know how you wish to use the photo, where it will be used and for how long you would like to use it. Make sure you have a copyright agreement before you start this option. Then select “Send FlickrMail” and compose your message. To find the Flickr email option, move your mouse over someone's buddy icon and click the little arrow to open the “person menu”. You must be a member of Flickr to do this. If you don't see the ‘Request to license’ link you can send the photographer a Flickr email and start the ball rolling.Once the correct agreements are in place, you will be able to purchase the photo through Getty Images. If you hit the link and request a license, Getty Images will review the photo and contact the photographer for you if the photo is fit for licensing. Yahoo has partnered with Getty Images to facilitate the licensing and purchasing option. On the Flickr photo there is a link “Request to license” near the photo licensing description.

Flickr photos can be purchased by using two options outlined by Yahoo in their Community Guidelines. The default copyright setting on all Flickr accounts is an “All Rights Reserved” license unless the site user changes their licensing preferences. This is not a stock photo agency like Shutterstock or Canstockphoto. Flickr is a Yahoo hosted photo sharing website that enables registered users to upload, share and tag their personal photos.