Have you ever come across this beautiful design on Pinterest and wondered how to use Pinterest images without copyright, you are not alone.
Pinterest has a ton of images that we would love to use in our next project or social media but how can you use Pinterest images legally?
Just because you can download images from Pinterest doesn’t mean that you can use them however you want.
Copyright laws apply on Pinterest and you could get yourself or your account on any social media in trouble for using images from Pinterest.
So
You can’t use images from Pinterest?
I never said that!
You can use Pinterest images legally and that is exactly what I will show you today.
So let’s not hang around more and get started.
Are Photos on Pinterest Copyright Free?
No, images that you see on Pinterest are not copyright-free.
You can repin or save these images to your boards within Pinterest but you will get in trouble if you post these images outside the platform.
Almost 95% of images on Pinterest belong to the owners of the accounts who posted them and they have the right to decide if these images should be used somewhere else.
To stay safe I would recommend you assume that every image on Pinterest is protected by copyright unless the description says that the image can be used elsewhere.
Can You Use Pinterest Images Without Permission?
In most cases, you can’t use images from Pinterest without the permission of the owner.
You can use some images in your personal projects but using those in marketing material, social media, websites or blogs can get you into hot water.
If you see an image that you really like you should track it back to the owner.
Most Pinterest accounts mention websites or other social media platforms on their profile.
You can grab their email or Instagram account and get permission from them.
I have used hundreds of images from Pinterest and the owners don’t refuse the use of their images if they are credited properly for their work.
If you are unable to find the owner then I would suggest trying to find some other image to use to stay out of trouble.
How to Use Pinterest Images Without Copyright Issues
So now that we are on the same page and you know that Pinterest images are not copyright-free, let’s see how you can save yourself from copyright infringement and use Pinterest images.
1. Search for Creative Commons or Royalty-Free Images
I have seen hundreds and thousands of images on Pinterest that mention royalty-free or creative commons in their description.
This means that these images can be used outside of Pinterest and there will be no copyright claims for using these images.
You can find and use these Pinterest images without copyright by searching for terms like “Creative Commons” or “royalty-free” to get hundreds of free images.
2. Contact the Image Owner for Permission
A polite message to the owner won’t hurt.
It takes only five minutes to find the details of image owners on Pinterest. Most profiles will have their websites attached to Pinterest accounts.
Simply find the owner’s contact information through the website. Tell him/her that you really liked their image and would want to use the image or video in your next project.
A simple message can go a long way and also help you stay safe.
3. Look for Public Domain Images
These are old images that are no longer protected by copyrights.
It isn’t easy to find such images on Pinterest but if you look around you will be able to find a ton of old images that you can use in your projects without any issues.
4. Check If Others Have Used The Images
You can’t always find the owner of the original and if you really want to use that Pinterest image without copyright then check if others have used that image before.
If you find three to five people who have already used the image and is not taken down then you can give it a shot.
I personally used a few images that couldn’t be traced back to the original owners and so far I have not come across any issues.
5. Utilize Stock Photo Platforms
If you feel like the owners are not contacting you back or you are unable to find any photos under royalty-free images then I would recommend using stock photo websites like Pexels, Adobe Stock, and my all-time favorite Unsplash.
What Can You Do to Avoid Copyright Infringement On Pinterest?
So you have some great images and you are sure you won’t violate any copyrights.
STILL
You never know the rules.
It’s always good to take precautions because I don’t want you to lose your account.
Here are some things I recommend doing:
1. Always Check the Image’s Source and Licensing
If you have taken an image from websites other than a stock photo website then make sure that the image belonged to the website or account that you took it from.
Also, make sure that the image is free to use before uploading it to Pinterest.
If you have directly taken permission from the owner then it’s nothing to worry about you are good to go.
2. Use Images Only for Their Intended Purpose
If you have taken permission to use an image on a pin or social media then do not try to use it anywhere else.
If you change your mind and want to use the image in different places it’s always good to confirm with the owner before doing so.
If the image owner finds out you will not only get your account suspended but will also have to pay fines under certain circumstances.
3. Give Proper Credit Where Due
If you get permission to use an image try to give proper credit to the image owner.
This will build trust not only with that person but also in the future if you want to use someone’s images it will be easy for you to do so.
4. Avoid Editing or Modifying Without Permission
When you get permission to use images from Pinterest don’t just go and start editing the image crazy unless you have permission to do so.
I have seen a lot of people get in trouble by taking permission to use an image and then completely changing it and not crediting the owner.
Always clearly tell the image owner how and when you want to use the image and how the owner will benefit from it.
Can I Download Images from Pinterest and Use Them?
With the permission of the owner yes you can but without the permission, you can get copyright strikes on those images. This is because of several reasons:
1. Pinterest’s Terms of Service
Pinterest clearly states in its terms of service that owner is responsible for their content when they make it public on Pinterest.
However, this doesn’t allow you to share images outside of Pinterest if you do so you are violating Pinterest and copyright laws.
2. Legal Consequences
If you use an image from a reputable company then you could get heavy fines and lawsuits. They may take legal action against you if they feel like the image is stolen from them.
Can You Get Sued for Copyright Infringement on Pinterest?
Yes, you can get sued for using Pinterest images without permission.
It may seem harmless to you well it did to me for some time that downloading and using Pinterest images is just fine but actually it isn’t.
The penalties for copyright can vary depending on what the owner decides to do.
There can be three things that could happen.
The first one is simply asking you to remove images from your website or marketing material that belonged to someone else.
The second could be fines or revenue sharing meaning that the revenue earned from the copyrighted material should be given to the owner.
The third and most severe would be a legal lawsuit which could be expensive and hectic.
How to Attribute Pinterest Images Correctly
When you take permission for using a Pinterest image you have to attribute the owner properly.
This shows respect for the original creator and is also a legal requirement when using images.
You can attribute the images by:
Name of the Creator: Always mention the name of the photographer, artist, or original creator of the image.
Title of the Work: Include the title of the image if available.
Source Link: Link back to the original source, whether it’s the creator’s website, portfolio, or Pinterest profile.
License Information: If the image is under a Creative Commons license, include the specific license type (e.g., CC BY-NC 4.0) and a link to the license.
Images from public domains or stock photo websites do not require attribution but in order to appreciate people’s work it’s always good to give them credit.
Conclusion
So now you know how to use Pinterest images without copyright.
Using these images without knowing the outcomes can be risky but it doesn’t need to be too complicated.
If you just take a few minutes to write and send an email to the owners you will be good to go.
By following the guidelines we discussed you can enjoy Pinterest without getting into trouble.
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