Hi,

can i use flags files from wikimedia commons for microstock as part of an illustration or a photography manipulated ?

I read this: "I grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law." ... but i'm not sure if it is also valid for reselling

I need to use some flags which are difficult to draw (those that contain symbols).

Thanks in advance.

Thanks cascoly.

Unfortunately seems that also the cia world factbook requires credits:

"Copyright Notice

Unless a copyright is indicated, information on the Central Intelligence Agency Web site is in the public domain and may be reproduced, published or otherwise used without the Central Intelligence Agency's permission. We request only that the Central Intelligence Agency be cited as the source of the information and that any photo credits or bylines be similarly credited to the photographer or author or Central Intelligence Agency, as appropriate."

Where can i find a source of free flag images for microstock ?

Thanks cascoly.

Unfortunately seems that also the cia world factbook requires credits:

"Copyright Notice

Unless a copyright is indicated, information on the Central Intelligence Agency Web site is in the public domain and may be reproduced, published or otherwise used without the Central Intelligence Agency's permission. We request only that the Central Intelligence Agency be cited as the source of the information and that any photo credits or bylines be similarly credited to the photographer or author or Central Intelligence Agency, as appropriate."

The question is whether a simple flag image is copyrightable. The creator of the image file merely reproduced something that in most cases was in public domain.
Let's say you take a flag from CIA Factbook and how are you supposed to credit them? Did they create the flag, for example, of Brazil or the Netherlands? If not, can they claim copyright on the image file that is only a reproduction of that flag?

This issue is quite interesting. There was a court case some time ago, involving a museum and digital reproductions of old paintings. I don't remember the details now.

Other than that, Pancaketom is of course right, many agencies don't allow public domain stuff.

Thanks cascoly.

Unfortunately seems that also the cia world factbook requires credits:

"Copyright Notice

Unless a copyright is indicated, information on the Central Intelligence Agency Web site is in the public domain and may be reproduced, published or otherwise used without the Central Intelligence Agency's permission. We request only that the Central Intelligence Agency be cited as the source of the information and that any photo credits or bylines be similarly credited to the photographer or author or Central Intelligence Agency, as appropriate."

Where can i find a source of free flag images for microstock ?

It's a request, not a requirement. It's not possible for an image to be in the public domain and have attribution requirements. That's why it's public domain.

Quote from: Bauman on January 21, 2017, 16:50

Thanks cascoly.

Unfortunately seems that also the cia world factbook requires credits:

"Copyright Notice

Unless a copyright is indicated, information on the Central Intelligence Agency Web site is in the public domain and may be reproduced, published or otherwise used without the Central Intelligence Agency's permission. We request only that the Central Intelligence Agency be cited as the source of the information and that any photo credits or bylines be similarly credited to the photographer or author or Central Intelligence Agency, as appropriate."

Where can i find a source of free flag images for microstock ?

It's a request, not a requirement. It's not possible for an image to be in the public domain and have attribution requirements. That's why it's public domain.

This is the correct answer. Public domain is public domain. The creator cannot set limits or requirements on how the image is used if he puts it in the public domain. The Notice only requests that if you create bylines or credits that you credit the CIA.

If you are not sure about the microstock site's policy on using such images, I suggest that you include a note with your image when you submit it making it clear where you got the image in question and that it is stated as being in the public domain and that your usage is derivative and so can by copyrighted by you. If the site wants to reject it for that reason, they will. You will not get into trouble.

I have submitted hundreds of images to many microstock sites, images which have used elements (such as fonts) which I had the license to use in the way that I did. No such image has ever been rejected if I included that information. People who claim that you have to have created everything in your image are not correct. You just have to be able to show that you have a license or permission to use it in the way that you have.