Can anyone provide the policy on the use of commercial licensed military pictures on websites?

2017-08-18T11:02:40-04:00

I'd like to hear from some Public Affairs Officer or NCOs on the policy in using military photos (like the one I pulled off the Internet for this question) in designing nonprofit web pages? A written policy would be great or any other information you can provide. ] PV2 Private RallyPoint Member

Response by Kanika Misra made Aug 18 at 2017 11:19 AM

2017-08-18T11:19:24-04:00

Hi COL Mikel J. Burroughs. I'm not sure about NPOs in particular, but I'd assume that copyright is copyright across the board. That said, if it's commercially licensed, there's a good chance you'd have to pay for that license. The best place to find military images that are free for public use would be dvidshub.net . Hope that helps!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 12:33 PM

2017-08-18T12:33:35-04:00

From what I know there's fair use, creative commons, and stricter/paid copyright licenses.

When in doubt, caption a link back to the original source or simply create original content.

https://creativecommons.org/
https://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright

When we share, everyone wins - Creative Commons

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 3:53 PM

2017-08-18T15:53:14-04:00

You're free to use the imagery as long as it's taken by someone as a part of their official duty (COMCAM or PAO). Under that clause, the photographs are considered public domain and are not protected by copyright laws.

I highly reccomend going through https://dvidshub.net to get your photographs.

DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System

Providing news, images, audio, video, and publications from military operations around the world. Browse current as well as archived content.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 5:54 PM

2017-08-18T17:54:51-04:00

Unsure of the policy, but in general you can pull images off of Google that are filtered for "commercial reuse". If these military images in question are on Google, try seeing how they are classified.

That being said Sir, any images at any point, no matter the classification, can be reclassified by the owner of that image. Even if classified on Google for reuse, that owner could in theory contact you for compensation (unlikely, but possible).

Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 10:31 PM

2017-08-18T22:31:33-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs The Marine Corps wrote Marine Corps Order 5720.77, the Public Affairs Manual, which you can find here: http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%205720.77.pdf

Each Service should have their own version.

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Response by AA Joseph Moody made Aug 19 at 2017 12:59 AM

2017-08-19T00:59:17-04:00

There is also about 200 hours of copyright material on youtube that is worth the sitdown, also as a side note of utility you can use chrome and right click on an image to reverse image search it. And just a tip, if the photo has a watermark do not remove it, there are some artists and photographers who make more off of copyright suits than they do their own work.

But just to give you a somewhat sane intro to the wonders of copyright

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lla9iCgDbHQ

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Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Aug 19 at 2017 7:45 PM

2017-08-19T19:45:19-04:00

Mike, any image captured by DoD photographers, cleared and released by the PA people, is in the public domain and can be used by anybody who downloads it from DVIDS, used to be JCCC.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Aug 21 at 2017 12:01 PM

2017-08-21T12:01:37-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Interesting discussion. How about official photos of senior officers and senior enlisted which were obviously taken for their official bio or other command released event being used extensively on RP and LinkedIn

Response by PO1 Ron Clark made Aug 21 at 2017 3:54 PM

2017-08-21T15:54:06-04:00

As long as it's not copyrighted, or displays the military in an undesirable/unfavorable light, and certainly not for profit, there should not be a problem using these pics, for some are awesome. Some folks/civilians have had no military service or background would love to see some of these photos. It could also be beneficial to the military recruiting corps to attract more competent and qualified recruits, if some people saw what we actually do, and know that we are not just waxing up our experiences, but we actually lived some part of them.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 21 at 2017 5:55 PM

2017-08-21T17:55:11-04:00

Having trouble tagging indivudals that I'd like to get some input from here on this question, so I'm going to tag you here in a response and just click the link to provide some answers - thanks

Response by SSgt Jimmy Jackson made Aug 21 at 2017 6:23 PM

2017-08-21T18:23:10-04:00

https://blog.kenkaminesky.com/photography-copyright-and-the-law/ About mid way through the Q/A section it stalks about fair use of online material. Hope this helps. Could not find any military reference

Photography and Copyright Law

An interview with copyright attorney Carolyn E. Wright on Photography and Copyright Law

Response by Samantha S. made Aug 21 at 2017 6:32 PM

2017-08-21T18:32:02-04:00

Mikel,
Here is a possible answer for you on the use of military imagery on the web.

https://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Trademarks/DOD%20Guide%20about%20use%20of%20seals%20logos%20insignia%20medals-16%20Oct%2015F.PDF

http://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations.html

Hopes this helps.

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Response by CSM Andrew Perrault made Aug 21 at 2017 7:10 PM

2017-08-21T19:10:52-04:00

I have no clue, but better to ask forgiveness than permission......always worked for me if the intent is just.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Aug 21 at 2017 7:55 PM

2017-08-21T19:55:44-04:00

I went to safari and put in use of Military photos.. some official looking letters came up then went black

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Aug 21 at 2017 8:00 PM

2017-08-21T20:00:22-04:00

A 147 pages worth of pages take your pick !

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Aug 22 at 2017 9:00 PM

2017-08-22T21:00:18-04:00

Produced on gov't equipment by gov't personnel makes it public domain (IMHO... i'm not a bottom-feeding, scum-sucking, leach of a lawyer)