Glossary A–ZLetter I
Image rights
Image rights is the umbrella term for all rights attached to an image that determine whether and how it may be shown.
Above all, these include the copyright of the photographer or designer and the right of the people depicted to control the use of their likeness.
For screen networks this means that a photo from the internet, an image from a stock library or a staff photo is not automatically free to use. Anyone showing someone else's image needs a suitable licence. Anyone showing recognisable people usually needs their consent, for employees preferably in writing and with the option to withdraw it. Trademarks, artworks or buildings shown in a picture may also involve rights of their own.
Operators should record for every image where it comes from, who created it and which rights were granted. A note in the media library saves searching later. A common misunderstanding is that an image freely accessible online is also free to use. Accessible and permitted are two different things. Where there is doubt, an own image or one with a clear licence is the better route.