Information on image rights

Careful of fines! Only use images for which you undoubtedly have all relevant image rights (see below). Otherwise, it can be very expensive, as specialized law firms search the web with automatic image recognition software and have made it a business model to send out very expensive warnings for such legal violations.

Note also: if you combine an image from several image components (collage), you need the image rights for each individual image component.

Recommended image sources

The following image sources are recommended under the following conditions:

Your own photos, photos from colleagues and other private persons
Requirement: In this case, you will need their permission to use them on the university homepage, newsletter, and social media. The best way to confirm this permission is to use the following forms:

Image Rights Transfer Declaration for photos
Image Rights Transfer Declaration for films

Purchased images or parts of images from image agencies
Requirement: Make sure that the license explicitly allows you to use the image on the internet and social media and to transfer these rights to third parties (the University of Hohenheim).

Picture comes from the University of Hohenheim’s photo archive
Requirement: The image is NOT blocked for social media (this applies to photos taken after 1 July 2015). You check this in the metadata: Open the image within the photo archive, check the information on the right side of the screen. If you find the following sentence under the heading “Anweisungen” (instructions): „Das Einstellen des Fotos in Facebook oder anderen sozialen Netzwerken ist nicht gestattet” (Posting the photo on Facebook or other social networks is not permitted.), then the photo cannot be used.

Uncertain image sources

The following image sources should be avoided

Images offered for free
(e.g. from Creative Commons or Wikimedia Commons)
Reason: These images also have licenses that may contain hidden exceptions. Thus, there is a danger of taking the bait that entails an expensive warning process.

Images from other sources copied or scanned from other homepages
Reason: This is a pirated copy and illegal.

Note on the depiction of persons

In the case of images of persons, their personal rights must be respected. The first principle:

You must ensure that individuals in your photo have given their consent for the picture to be taken and used.
It is best to have their consent confirmed in writing using the Declaration of Consent for the Use of Photographs or Films form:

NOTE: If minors are to be seen in a photo, then it is mandatory to obtain the consent of the parents or guardians using the form Declaration of Consent for Photos of Children:

Exceptions: In these cases, consent is not required:

  • For persons who are performing or presenting something, e.g. lead a guided tour or stand on a stage, consent is assumed even without explicit written consent.
  • Groups of people, people from behind or people who are not recognizable (e.g. due to an unfocused image) may be depicted without express consent.

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