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Licensing is how we work with creative content every day on the web. Don't forget: read those license agreements!
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Licensing. It's how we work with creative content every single day on the web whether you realize it or not.
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Every time you download a song on iTunes, work on a WordPress theme, start up Photoshop, browse Flickr,
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even use something like PHP, there is licensing involved.
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No matter how permissive, or no matter how restrictive, there is some sort of permission being given to you to use what you're using.
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You're agreeing to those license terms as a result.
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But now say you find just the perfect photograph on Flickr for your website.
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It's exactly what you need, just what you're looking for,
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but it's all rights reserved. There's no creative commons license. You can't just take it and use it.
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Just a copyright symbol—no easy way to license it.
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But you love that photo so much you wish you could use it.
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Why not just ask?
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Licensing is just written permission, an agreement between 2 parties.
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It's one thing to find a great stock photo at a place like Getty Images. That's their business.
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They make it easy to license their product, but anyone can license their work to you if they want to.
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It may not be as expensive as you'd expect.
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Many photographers and designers and musicians, they'd love to help out on your project.
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All you need to do is ask.
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Send them a message on Flickr, tell them about your project, ask permission, ask for a license.
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A simple email, a quick message on Twitter and Facebook, often that's all it takes to get the ball rolling
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on licensing something awesome and original for your website or app.
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But whether you're licensing something directly from the artist, purchasing something,
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or making use of creative commons or open source,
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it can't be said enough. Read those license agreements.
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Know what you're agreeing to.
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That tiny little bit of extra effort can save you so much trouble down the road.
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Understanding the terms of use, understanding that open source license,
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understanding that creative commons license.
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All that knowledge is going to help you work so much better and smarter on the web.
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