Stock Media APIs: Licensing 101 By Lynsey Fadul | December 12, 2019
Here's the skinny on stock media licensing: there are a lot of license options out there, and the details can quickly get confusing. From Creative Commons to royalty-free, the different levels of licensing provide a vast array of protection to the people that download and use media.
But as a company using a stock media API, why would you care about correctly licensing the stock media you push through your platform? All you're doing is providing content to your end-users, not using stock media for your marketing or promotional material.
At the end of the day, licensing matters to everyone, even your company. By understanding the different types of licenses available, you're setting your end-users up for success and ensuring a better user experience. That's a win for them and a win for you (hello, brand loyalty).
Common License Types So, what's the scoop on different license types? Let us break it down for you.
Creative Commons (CC) Set-up to create easy-to-understand terms; this public copyright license gives end-users the ability to use images, video, or audio for non-commercial or non-monetized purposes. Customers must provide attribution to the creator of the media, and no edits can be made to the asset. Creation purposes and distribution of the stock content is also very limited.
Creative Commons Zero (CC0) A no rights reserved license, CC0 allows end-users to use creative content with no attribution to the creator. This effectively puts the stock asset into the public domain and can be used and distributed in any way.
Royalty-Free (RF) A popular license type, RF gives the ability to an individual to pay a flat fee for the asset with no royalties due to the content creator. You can use the content almost anywhere, through most channels (though some RF licenses set limitations). Often, you can provide this feature as an add-on in your platform (e.g., buy this clip for $1.99).
One thing to remember, if your end-user is an employee of a company, the rights for that asset don't lie with the company, they belong to the individual who purchased the content. This can get tricky if the employee leaves or if the distribution of the created asset goes beyond the scope of license coverage.
Extended/Enhanced Use This license goes beyond standard RF licensing terms by extending the ways end-users can use, distribute, and sell the content. When they buy stock content under Extended/Enhanced Use, they're getting more rights than any other mass license (the upgrade is a custom license that can get incredibly expensive and complex.) This license gives coverage to the company, not an individual, so customers can feel comfortable about distributing that content through whatever channel they want.
Why Licensing Matters The common element among licensing is general risk and liability; it outlines what's covered to help you or your end-users if any legal issues were to arise. When it comes to your platform, licensing can either improve or destroy your customer's experience.
With CC or CC0 licensing, end-users are often not covered to distribute images for commercial purposes - like if they download stock content with a model or likeness of a person, CC and CC0 often don't have the proper releases for it to be used for anything other than editorial purposes. Issues that arise from using CC or CC0 can lead to cease and desist letters, liabilities, and hefty indemnification fees, things that your customers aren't anticipating. This stress and confusion can lead to distrust of your platform, effectively hurting your relationship with end-users (goodbye, brand loyalty).
Through RF or Extended Licenses, your end-users are better covered; they're buying the rights to use that image in a full capacity. The downside to providing an RF purchase option in your platform is that it leads to a disjointed customer experience. They've already subscribed to your platform but have to stop their workflow to purchase the image, video, or audio clips they want. Extended licensing takes care of this disruption by giving the proper licensing across all stock content from a specific provider (simplified workflow, happier customers.)
Licensing with Storyblocks When you partner with Storyblocks, you can let go of licensing worries. We take care of that for you with our Extended License. It ensures that your end-users can create whatever they want and use it in whatever manner they choose. Give your customers the peace of mind to create with ease on your platform and learn more about Storyblocks Enterprise and our API options today.
Learn More
Stock Media APIs: Licensing 101
13/12/2019
| LINK: | https://blog.storyblocks.com/news/stock-media-apis-licensing-101/... |
| See more stories from videoblocks |
North America Stories
26/09/2020
VHD Launches PTZ Cameras with NDI
-- VHD, a professional AV integration and conference solution supplier focusing on high-definition video cameras and accessories, today launched the VX710N Ul...
26/09/2020
The Studio One Cover-Up
Studio One 5 has many little features that might fly under the radar, but are surprisingly useful. Like being able to change what happens when one Event overlap...
26/09/2020
Local News Production Increases Following Mergers, Study Shows
CHANTILLY, Va.-As local news continues to try and compete against digital competitors, a new study provides support to the claim that allowing stations in a mar...
26/09/2020
C-SPAN to Broadcast 2020 Cable TV Pioneers Induction Ceremony
NEW YORK-The 2020 Cable TV Pioneers Induction Ceremony will be coming to your TV set, as the organization has announced that C-SPAN will carry the ceremony on C...
26/09/2020
AT&T, Dish Top TV Provider Satisfaction Rankings, Per JD Power
COSTA MESA, Calif.-AT&T/DirecTV and Dish Networks have come out on top when it comes to consumer satisfaction for TV providers, according to the J.D. Power 2020...
26/09/2020
LTN Global Acquires 4K Remote Production Company DTAGS
COLUMBIA, Md.-LTN Global has announced that it has closed a deal for DTAGS, which is known for providing technology for 4K remote production and broadcast trans...
26/09/2020
US Broadcasting Chief Pack Skips Congressional Hearing
WASHINGTON-Michael Pack, President Donald Trump's recent appointee as head of U.S. government broadcasting operations, defied a congressional subpoena to ap...
26/09/2020
Ross Video Joins SRT Alliance
OTTAWA-Ross Video has announced that it is joining the SRT Alliance, the open-source initiative that focuses on overcoming the challenges of low-latency video s...
26/09/2020
FCC Names RSM as C-Band Relocation Coordinator
WASHINGTON-The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has tapped RSM US LLP, a global audit and consulting firm, to serve as the relocation coordinator fo...
26/09/2020
SBE Technology Award Goes to multiCAM AirBridge
MONTREUIL, France-The Society of Broadcast Engineers has presented its annual SBE Technology Award to multiCAM for the company's AirBridge remote guest mana...
26/09/2020
FCC Extends Reg Fee Filing Date to Sept. 28
WASHINGTON-Cable operators, broadcasters and any others required to submit their annual regulatory fees have gotten a little extra breathing room, as the FCC ha...
25/09/2020
Gina Duncan Joins Sundance Institute as Producing Director, Sundance Film Festival
Los Angeles, CA - Sundance Institute today announced that Gina Duncan will join ...
25/09/2020
TechnipFMC plc: Departure of Executive Officer
Press release | September 24, 2020 TechnipFMC plc: Departure of Executive Officer -- LONDON & PARIS & HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: TechnipF...
25/09/2020
The Audio Engineering Society Elects Brecht De Man Director of the AES
Posted: Thursday, September 24, 2020 --...
25/09/2020
Automation to Simplify Traditional Spot TV Transactions
For what feels like forever, broadcast TV industry buzz has centered around impression-based selling and automated transactions. But while those things are inde...
25/09/2020
SVG On Demand: NASCAR's Wyatt Hicks Chats Augmented Reality and the New Mobile Game, NASCAR Mobile Playoffs AR
SVG On Demand: NASCAR's Wyatt Hicks Chats Augmented Reality and the New Mobi...
25/09/2020
LTN Global Acquires DTAGS to Boost 4K Transmission, Remote Production Portfolio
LTN Global Acquires DTAGS to Boost 4K Transmission, Remote Production Portfolio By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor Friday, September 25, 2020 - 8:26 am Print T...
25/09/2020
Ratings Roundup: A Quick Look at the Numbers of NFL, College Football, Stanley Cup, NBA Playoffs, U.S. Open, and More
Ratings Roundup: A Quick Look at the Numbers of NFL, College Football, Stanley C...
25/09/2020
Stanley Cup Final Caps Impressive NHL Broadcast Effort in Edmonton
Stanley Cup Final Caps Impressive NHL Broadcast Effort in Edmonton Traditional compound layout supports broadcast teams from NBC Sports (U.S.), Rogers (Canada) ...
25/09/2020
Behind the Mic: ESPN Extends Deal With College GameDay's Desmond Howard, Signs Vince Carter for Basketball Content
Behind the Mic: ESPN Extends Deal With College GameDay's Desmond Howard, Sig...
25/09/2020
AJA Introduces BRIDGE LIVE
-- AJA Video Systems today unveiled BRIDGE LIVE, a turnkey 1RU solution that makes it easy to move UltraHD or multi-channel HD video between uncompressed base...
25/09/2020
AJA Unveils World's First 12G-SDI to Dante Audio Bridge
-- AJA Video Systems announced its first partnership with Audinate, developers of Dante IP-based audio networking, to launch the first 12G-SDI embedded audio ...
25/09/2020
AJA Expands Lineup of openGear Cards With New OG-ROI-SDI Scan Converter
-- AJA Video Systems has released OG-ROI-SDI, a new openGear compatible scan converter with 3G-SDI to 3G-SDI and mirrored HDMI outputs. Available today, OG-R...
25/09/2020
AJA Releases Ki Pro Ultra 12G v2.0
-- AJA Video Systems has released new v2.0 firmware for Ki Pro Ultra 12G, a single-channel 4K/UltraHD recorder and player or four-channel HD recorder, featuri...
25/09/2020
The Gadget Show returns to Channel 5 with ATEM Mini Pro
-- Blackmagic Design today announced that an ATEM Mini Pro has helped the latest series of The Gadget Show, produced by North One Television in Birmingham, to...
25/09/2020
Cowen's Networking Leaders, Legends, Luminaries, and Visionaries Fireside Chat Series
SAN JOSE, Calif., September 24, 2020 Cowen Senior Analyst Paul Silverstein wil...
24/09/2020
TV Ads Strengthen Digital Ads, Study Finds
NEW YORK-Advertising is stronger when TV and digital work together, according to a new study from Comcast Cable's advertising sales division Effectv and Med...
24/09/2020
SBE Hires James Ragsdale as New Executive Director
INDIANAPOLIS-After a lengthy search process that began in March, the Society of Broadcast Engineers Board of Directors has approved the appointment of James Rag...
24/09/2020
Samsung Still Top Smart TV in US, Per Statista
NEW YORK-Samsung has maintained, and even grown, its position as the top provider of smart TVs in the U.S., according to the latest report from Statista. Accord...
24/09/2020
SkyBoxe' Hub Gets FCC's OK
SAN JOSE, Calif.-Startup Skyboxe said it has received Federal Communications Commission certification for a new fixed wireless device that would replace the cab...
24/09/2020
Scripps Purchases Ion Media for $2.65B
CINCINNATI-The E.W. Scripps Company has announced that it has acquired the national broadcast network Ion Media for a price of $2.65 billion. The deal will comb...
24/09/2020
AIMS IP Oktoberfest 2020 Sets Schedule
BOTHELL, Wash.-The schedule is set for the Alliance of IP Media Solutions' (AIMS) IP Oktoberfest 2020 virtual event. IP Oktoberfest, taking place from Sept....
24/09/2020
FCC Grants NCE Waiver for MVPD Carriage Notices
WASHINGTON-Qualified noncommercial educational (NCE) TV translator stations will not be required to send an email notification regarding carriage to MVPDs by Oc...
24/09/2020
MLB, Turner Sports Extend Media Rights Deal to 2028
ATLANTA-Turner Sports and Major League Baseball have agreed to a seven-year multimedia rights extension that will keep the MLB and Turner partnership going thro...
24/09/2020
New design and experiences help members build meaningful...
New design and experiences help members build meaningful relationships Published on Sep 24, 2020 LinkedIn Corporate Communications Share LinkedIn Fac...
24/09/2020
Canon U.S.A. Intros New 4K UHD Portable Zoom Lens with Wide Focal Range; New EOS C70 Digital Cinema Camera Debuts
Canon U.S.A. Intros New 4K UHD Portable Zoom Lens with Wide Focal Range; New EOS...
24/09/2020
Turner Sports Re-Ups MLB Rights Deal Through 2028, Adds Tuesday-Night Game Franchise
Turner Sports Re-Ups MLB Rights Deal Through 2028, Adds Tuesday-Night Game Franc...
24/09/2020
Pete Bevacqua Takes Over as Chairman of NBC Sports Group
Pete Bevacqua Takes Over as Chairman of NBC Sports Group He takes the mantle from Mark Lazarus, who was recently promoted to Chairman of NBCUniversal Television...
24/09/2020
SEC on CBS Embraces New Workflows; F&F GTX-19 Is at Center of Production Efforts
SEC on CBS Embraces New Workflows; F&F GTX-19 Is at Center of Production Efforts Golf, NFL coverage gives the team a leg up on the college football season By K...
24/09/2020
NBC Sports Teams With Fighting Irish Media, Notre Dame Studios for Live Football Broadcast
NBC Sports Teams With Fighting Irish Media, Notre Dame Studios for Live Football...
24/09/2020
Attentive Raises $230 Million Series D Investment, Led by Coatue, to Enhance Product and Expand Support for Customers
The personalized text messaging software company has experienced rapid growth in...
24/09/2020
NAB Show New York Presents Session on Deepfakes and Disinformation in Election Coverage
NAB Show New York Presents Session on Deepfakes and Disinformation in Election C...
24/09/2020
Automation for Local Spot TV
For what feels like forever, broadcast TV industry buzz has centered around impression-based selling and automated transactions. But while those things are inde...
24/09/2020
NELVANA ALIGNS SESAME STREET WITH ICONIC CANADIAN BRANDS IN LATEST COLLABORATIONS
NELVANA ALIGNS SESAME STREET WITH ICONIC CANADIAN BRANDS IN LATEST COLLABORATION...
24/09/2020
Four ARRI Signature Zoom lenses constitute an unrivalled new cine zoom system
-- ARRI, responding to market requests for high-quality zoom lenses to match and accompany the Signature Primes, announces four new Signature Zooms designed f...
24/09/2020
Sonnet Announces PCI Express 3.0 Adapter Card With Direct Mounting Support for Two U.2 NVMe PCIe SSDs
-- Sonnet Technologies today announced the Fusion Dual U.2 SSD PCIe Card, th...
24/09/2020
Hitachi 4K and HDTV Cameras Double Major at Prince George's Community College
-- Founded in 1958, Prince George's Community College (PGCC) in Largo, Mar...
24/09/2020
CineGear Goes Virtual for 2020 Film Series Competition
-- Cine Gear Expo announces a rousing virtual lineup for their much-anticipated annual Film Series Competition to be held at 12 noon, Saturday, October 3, 202...
