You found the perfect photo on Flickr and you want to know if you are able to use it. While Flickr is the world’s best photo sharing community, we insist that you abide by all copyright laws while using content you did not create.
Why do I need permission to use a photo?
By default, all images uploaded to Flickr are set to All Rights Reserved, meaning the content creator holds the copyright and all associated rights under copyright law.
Some creators choose to license their work under Creative Commons, which can allow more flexible use. However, even under Creative Commons, the creator still retains control over how their images may be used.
You’ll find the copyright/license information directly under the photo:
How can I get permission to use the photo?
Before using any content you find on Flickr, you must contact the account owner to obtain their permission. Using a member’s content without permission may constitute copyright infringement.
For more details on licensing, see: Copyright Licenses on Flickr
How can I contact the photo owner?
To contact the copyright holder:
- Create a Flickr account.
- Reach out to the member via FlickrMail. See: Send & Receive FlickrMail for step-by-step instructions.
Note: For security reasons, we cannot contact another member on your behalf or share contact details not listed on their About page.