Google Makes Copyright Issues with Image Search Easier...sort of!

Google has added some features to it's image search engine that makes complying with copyright and licensing issues a little easier. Now you can search for images that are licensed for reuse in specific ways. On it's Advanced Image Search page Google has added a filter for usage rights. The new dropdown menu includes the following four filters:

• Labeled for reuse - Your results will only include images labeled with a license that allows you to copy and/or modify the image in ways specified in the license.
• Labeled for commercial reuse - Your results will only include images labeled with a license that allows you to copy the image for commercial purposes, in ways specified in the license.
• Labeled for reuse with modification - Your results will only include images labeled with a license that allows you to copy and modify the image in ways specified in the license.
• Labeled for commercial reuse with modification - Your results will only include images labeled with a license that allows you to copy the image for commercial purposes and modify it in ways specified in the license.

Google makes it clear however that you still need to confirm the license with the copyright holder. So while the images may be more clearly categorized as to how they may be used, you still have some leg work to do to make sure you are not using the image in a way that violates the licensing.