What are the different licensing options? (e.g., royalty-free, rights-managed)
Understanding image licensing is crucial for both photographers and those who use stock photos. Here's a breakdown of the most common licensing options: 1. Royalty-Free (RF): What it means: The buyer pays a one-time fee to use the image multiple times, in various projects, without having to pay additional royalties."Royalty-free" doesn't mean "free"; it means you don't pay royalties for each use. This is the most common licensing type for stock photography. Key features: Flexibility: Buyers can use the image in many different ways. Cost-effective: A single purchase covers multiple uses. Non-exclusive: The same image can be licensed to multiple buyers. 2. Rights-Managed (RM): What it means: The buyer purchases the right to use the image for a specific purpose, time frame, and geographic location.The price varies depending on the intended use. Key features: Specificity: Usage is clearly defined and limited. Potential exclusivity: In some cases, bu...