Author Topic: Using Public Domain Images in Stock Designs (Read 2654 times)

Erin Cadigan · « **on:** July 23, 2024, 09:52 »

Good morning!

I haven't posted in years, and actually just recently started resubmitting to stock after having everything running in the background for a while. I have created many derivative pieces and compilation pieces using vintage public domain images in the past few years. I sell them as downloads on Etsy, and they are mostly digital paper and scrapbooking types of things - mostly Halloween-related. My question is, which stock sites will allow them, and what special caption would I need to apply? I should mention that they are NOT AI in any way, shape or form, and were all created in Photoshop. Adobe Stock is my top earner, so they would be my first choice to submit.

The attached photo is my photo as the background, but the ghosts were from old PD images.

Any advice is helpful and appreciated!

Thank you,

Erin

Noedelhap · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2024, 15:38 »

Everything you upload should be made by you (and you should therefore own the copyright), uploading derivatives and public domain images is not allowed.

It is strongly recommended to carefully read the submission guidelines of each agency. Adobe's guidelines can be found here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/submission-guidelines.html

cobalt · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2024, 01:15 »

The image you provided would be quite easy to generate with ai.

And since Adobe is your favorite marketplace, why not avoid the public domain issue and just create similar content with ai.

I do see the irony, because ai companies have scraped everything, including all public domain images.

Erin Cadigan · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2024, 05:20 »

Quote from: Noedelhap on July 23, 2024, 15:38

Everything you upload should be made by you (and you should therefore own the copyright), uploading derivatives and public domain images is not allowed.

It is strongly recommended to carefully read the submission guidelines of each agency. Adobe's guidelines can be found here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/submission-guidelines.html

Yes, I've seen this in the guidelines. What confused me was finding other similar-type images using public domain content with a simple search - not even AI work. It kind of makes it seem like they may allow derivative types of work, but not straight up selling of a PD image (which I also see on certain sites).

I guess I'll keep things status quo and just offer these images elsewhere!

Erin Cadigan · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2024, 05:23 »

Quote from: cobalt on July 24, 2024, 01:15

The image you provided would be quite easy to generate with ai.

And since Adobe is your favorite marketplace, why not avoid the public domain issue and just create similar content with ai.

I do see the irony, because ai companies have scraped everything, including all public domain images.

I am not familiar with doing anything with AI images yet! The one I created took time a lot of time in Photoshop. I have a series of them, so this saddens me a bit. Yes, it is ironic, since there are similar images created with AI that clearly use some of the PD images that I have used in certain pieces. (In addition to ones that aren't AI, like I said in my other reply) I guess part of it would be that they can't go on the photographer's word that they are, in fact, using true PD images.

Oh well, back to the drawing board!!!

Noedelhap · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2024, 05:49 »

Quote from: Erin Cadigan on July 24, 2024, 05:20

Quote from: Noedelhap on July 23, 2024, 15:38
Everything you upload should be made by you (and you should therefore own the copyright), uploading derivatives and public domain images is not allowed.

It is strongly recommended to carefully read the submission guidelines of each agency. Adobe's guidelines can be found here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/submission-guidelines.html

Yes, I've seen this in the guidelines. What confused me was finding other similar-type images using public domain content with a simple search - not even AI work. It kind of makes it seem like they may allow derivative types of work, but not straight up selling of a PD image (which I also see on certain sites).

I guess I'll keep things status quo and just offer these images elsewhere!

There are many images for sale that shouldn't be on sale, but somehow passed inspection. It is confusing, and ridiculous Adobe's standards have falled this low (although I think Shutterstock is even worse in this regard).

Ironically, AI images ARE allowed (if labeled as such), so maybe it's an idea to remove any public domain elements from your pieces and replace those with AI elements.

cobalt · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2024, 08:21 »

If you want to try ai, midjourney would probably be the best engine for you.

I think you will actually enjoy the process, because you save a lot of time. You will still need to rework the finals in photoshop, but once you have some good prompt strings, you can really focus more on being creative and developing ideas.

And for your type of content I don‘t think it will take very long.

Erin Cadigan · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2024, 10:28 »

Quote from: cobalt on July 24, 2024, 08:21

If you want to try ai, midjourney would probably be the best engine for you.

I think you will actually enjoy the process, because you save a lot of time. You will still need to rework the finals in photoshop, but once you have some good prompt strings, you can really focus more on being creative and developing ideas.

And for your type of content I don‘t think it will take very long.

I figured I would give it a go! Thank you for the recommendation. I'm afraid I am having too much fun with this!!! Here is what I'm working on:

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2024, 14:22 »

Quote from: Erin Cadigan on July 24, 2024, 05:20

Quote from: Noedelhap on July 23, 2024, 15:38
Everything you upload should be made by you (and you should therefore own the copyright), uploading derivatives and public domain images is not allowed.

It is strongly recommended to carefully read the submission guidelines of each agency. Adobe's guidelines can be found here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/submission-guidelines.html

Yes, I've seen this in the guidelines. What confused me was finding other similar-type images using public domain content with a simple search - not even AI work. It kind of makes it seem like they may allow derivative types of work, but not straight up selling of a PD image (which I also see on certain sites).

I guess I'll keep things status quo and just offer these images elsewhere!

Maybe because Fotolia and Adobe used to allow PD images to be uploaded but do not now. Many agencies that have had a change in policy, left old accepted images in the collection. SS is another that did until 2010. IS still does, if you prove the images are from before 1900.

Pretty clear on AS: "We do not currently accept public domain content, which is content where the copyright has expired or where the content has been dedicated to the public domain. "

You can add a property release, in which case, if they accept that, you're fine. Property release would need to include the source and date of the original copyright.

cobalt · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2024, 14:42 »

@Erin

Welcome to the addiction!!

I started 5 years ago with ai, just for fun. Never thought I would actually do it for my job.

That image looks great.

And the more you work with ai, the more ideas will start to develop.

Best of luck with sales on Adobe. But once your niche has more than 2000 files, you will get regular customers.

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: Using Public Domain Images in Stock Designs (Read 2654 times)

Erin Cadigan

Noedelhap

cobalt

Erin Cadigan

Erin Cadigan

Noedelhap

cobalt

Erin Cadigan

Uncle Pete

cobalt

Related Topics

Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors