3.2 Copyright and Creative Commons
When designing digital media, it is important to understand the laws of copyright. This section will help us find fantastic media to use and manipulate without breaking the law.
Unfortunately, even though Google Images provides access to hundreds of thousands of amazing images, downloading and using one of those images infringes on the copyright of the image owner (this is considered stealing). This is also true for all digital media, including videos, audio, and social media.
However, don’t despair! There are still ways to find and use amazing images, videos, and audio in your digital media product. You can do this with creative commons.
What is creative commons? Watch and learn from the Creative Commons & Copyright video. Note: This video does not have closed captioning. If you prefer reading text instead of watching a video, please review the following resources:
Creative Commons Resources
Here is a list of sites where you can find creative commons media for your digital media product:
- YouTube Audio Library
- Mobi Gratis – Free music for videos (Note: It may take up to 24 hours to get permission to use the music in your video)
- PixaBay free photos – these are attribution free however we recommend not using pictures with identifiable people as they may not have signed a model release
- Search Creative Commons – list several free sites
- Royalty free images, music, and more
- Good Alternatives to Google Image Search
- Sources of Free Sound Effects and Music for Multimedia Projects
- Free pictures for education
- More free pictures
- 45 Free Stock Images for eLearning Courses
- Free Photos for Education – this tool automatically adds attribution to the image owner as a caption
- Finding Creative Commons Images
- Freemeo – Browse and stream hundreds of public domain movies right on Youtube
Do you know of any other sites for finding creative commons content? Please share your thoughts on Twitter using the #digmediacourse hashtag and help us build this list of resources.
