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  MUST reading for today's designer

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  "Rights Protected" vs "royalty free" stock photography

One of the most critical questions facing designers today 

What are the REAL differences?

ivorydot.gif (875 bytes) The advantages and disadvantages of each
ivorydot.gif (875 bytes)  What are the real differences?
ivorydot.gif (875 bytes)  Why a combination works best!

  Which is for you?  An in-depth, comprehensive guide  GO Rights Protected Versus Royalty Free Stock Photography

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"Royalty Free" means that once you purchase the images-- you can use them any way you want (almost*), as much as you want-- with no further payment (or reporting) to the photo agency you bought it from.

The good part of that is... just that.

The LESS good part is: 

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With "royalty free" it is possible for someone else (maybe even your worst enemy) to use the exact same picture in the same way at the same time for the same purpose. (Something that "rights protected" stock can usually prevent.)
* Okay, what's all this business about "almost"?
Two things you CANNOT do with royalty free images:
No defamatory, humiliating or libelous use! Absolutely no use of recognizable models in defamatory ways!

Abolutely no defamatory usage!

Whether you purchase from COMSTOCK-- or anyone else:

You cannot-- you absolutely must not-- use a photo with a recognizable model in a way that is humiliating, libelous or defamatory to the model.

This is true even if a model release has been signed!

We are in the business of licensing images for others to use.  You can't do anything with the images that puts you or anyone else in that same business!
. More precisely, here's what it says in the "Terms & Conditions" section of this disc:

You cannot:
(vii) Re-sell, distribute or sublicense the Disc or the rights to use the photographs on the Disc. Comstock is in the business of licensing photographs for use by its customers. It is the specific intent of this provision to prohibit a purchaser, or licensee, of Comstock's images from using these images to enter, either directly or indirectly, a similar or competing business. It is therefore prohibited to use the images in a product whereby the purchaser, or licensee, of that product can then in any way, or be permitted to in any way, use the images for their own purposes.

With us-- or with any other image provider-- it's essential to review the "Terms & Conditions" carefully.   Our terms are straightforward, not particular onerous-- but important for you to know.  If you would like to review those terms now, click here.

Want to learn more about these and other issues crucial for professional designers?

We highly recommend a quick trip to:

"Rights Protected" vs "Royalty Free" Which is for you? 


An in-depth, comprehensive guide Rights Protected Versus Royalty Free Stock Photography Go to "Compare" Guide

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"Rights Protected" "Conflict Free" means just that:   "Protection" against two people using the same picture in the same way at the same time for the same purpose. (Something that does happen with "royalty free")

"Rights protected" images are sold individually

Price is determined by the scope of your particular project:   the smaller the project, the lower the fee.  For a handy "guide", please visit:
Demystifying rights-protected stock photo pricing

We don't want to annoy you!

With "rights protection" embarassing "conflicts" of competing usage can usually be avoided altogether or reduced considerably.
And, since the photo agency  knows how a rights-pretected image is being used, you can purchase additional protection, if you feel you need it, in the form of limited-- or even absolute-- "exclusives" on an image.

Incidentally, this is the way "traditional" photo agencies around the world have operated for decades.

Want to learn more about these crucial issues for professional designers?

We highly recommend a quick trip to:

Which is for you?  An in-depth, comprehensive guide Rights Protected Versus Royalty Free Stock Photography  Go to "Compare" Guide



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