Using Google Images for Commercial Use Or In Books

About this video

Dale Roberts warns self-publishers against lifting images from Google Images for use in books or on covers. He explains that most images remain the copyrighted property of their originator and cannot be used for monetary gain without express permission, and says he knows publishers who received cease-and-desist letters or had to repay earnings after misusing an image. He recommends Creative Commons images as the cheapest accessible option, while stressing that creators must still read the fine print, confirm the licence permits distribution and sale in print media, and provide attribution where required. He also cautions that free images are widely reused by other budget-conscious publishers in the same niche, so paying a small amount for licensing helps a book stand out and protects the business. He distinguishes rights-managed (restricted) from royalty-free (broader-use) licensing, noting neither transfers ownership, and names Deposit Photos as a preferred licensing site, while offering his email newsletter subscribers a list of free stock photo sites.

Key takeaways

• Do not grab Google Images for a book or cover: most are copyrighted and require the originator’s permission for commercial use
• Misusing an image can lead to cease-and-desist letters and repayment of earnings, per the creator’s account
• Creative Commons images are the cheapest route, but check the fine print for print sale rights and attribution duties
• Rights-managed licences are restricted and royalty-free licences broader, but neither gives you ownership of the image
• Paying modest licensing fees reduces the risk of using the same free image as competitors in your niche

Episode details: published August 13, 2017 · 4:15 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Dale L. Roberts’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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