Google has recently launched a new image search feature which allows the user to restrict their search to display images which have been tagged with specific licenses.
E.g. Creative Commons, GNU Free Documentation or in the Public Domain. The new feature allows you to use images with permission from the artist, without having to pay expensive licensing fees for professional photographers which enables the user to share, use and modify images, legally and for free!
The new tool helps artists of all kinds to promote their work and to broadcast it across the web. The artists benefit from mass exposure and you the searcher receives good quality images which are legal to use in a multitude of ways in return. The artist however, sets their own boundaries of how they wish their image to be used. For instance, someone may wish to only license their work for general reuse or for non-commercial use only; giving the artist complete control over the future of their work.
To activate the new search tool, simply go to the “Advanced Image Search” page. By selecting your preferred search criteria from the “Usage Rights” drop down box (see image below), you can easily restrict the search to your image requirements.
One word of advice…Please ensure you obey the terms and conditions of each individual license to guarantee you are using the material legally.