Known Restrictions: Objects and Subjects

Objects and Subjects

Albert Einstein

• Albert Einstein's name, image, and likeness are protected under trademark and copyright laws
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Artwork (isolated)

• Artwork in building interiors or private property, where the artwork is isolated or the main focus of the content, is subject to copyright protection
• Unacceptable for commercial use unless a valid property release/s from the artist/s is provided
• Acceptable for editorial use as long as artwork is not isolated or the main focus and is not in a building interior or on private property

Australian Aboriginal Flag

• The design of the Australian Aboriginal flag is copyrighted
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Banknotes and Currency

• Content showing banknotes is acceptable for commercial or editorial use as long as the banknote is not visible in its entirety (i.e. is not a direct shot of the entire banknote or a scan of an actual banknote)
• Canadian banknotes and Canadian coins are only acceptable for editorial use
• Pound sterling banknotes are unacceptable for editorial use, however, pound sterling coins can be acceptable

Blueprints

• Blueprints are subject to copyright and, therefore, require a property release signed by the architect/original designer of the blueprint in order to be acceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Bob Marley

• Bob Marley’s name, image, and likeness are protected under trademark and copyright laws
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Books

• Content showing discernible text in, or on, any book is subject to copyright laws and, therefore, unacceptable for commercial use. This includes bibles and dictionaries.
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Burning or Destroying Flags

• Due to political and cultural sensitivities, content showing the burning or destruction of flags is unacceptable for commercial or illustrative editorial use.
• Acceptable only for documentary editorial use with a proper caption

California State Flag

• It is against California state law to use the official state flag design in any way that could potentially imply an official connection to the State of California
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Cameras

• Content showing isolated cameras or camera equipment (anything which could be seen as a “product shot”) is a violation of camera manufacturers' intellectual property rights
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Caricatures (Celebrity / Political)

• Illustrations/vectors featuring modern celebrities or politicians cannot be accepted for commercial use. Any defamatory depiction of a celebrity or politician is unacceptable for both commercial and editorial use.
• Editorial illustrations/vectors can be acceptable if they meet all other editorial illustration/vector guidelines and are not defamatory depictions.

Cemeteries and Graveyards

• Cemeteries and graveyards that depict legible names of the deceased and/or unique statues cannot be accepted for commercial use
• Acceptable for commercial use if the content does not contain legible names of the deceased and/or unique tombstone statue
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Clothing

• Clothing with unique designs, fabric patterns, or brand identifiers, where it is depicted as isolated or the main focus of the content, is subject to copyright protection
• Content showing isolated, generic clothing can be acceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Concentration Camps

• Due to cultural sensitivities, content depicting Concentration Camps, such as Auschwitz, Bergen Belsen, and Sachsenhausen, is not acceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Dinosaur Museums

• The term “dinosaur museum” pertains to any museum that has exhibits related to dinosaur fossils and models
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

DVD, VHS, CD, Vinyl Record Covers & Movie Posters

• DVD, VHS, CD, and Vinyl Record covers, and posters of movies, television shows, etc., are protected by copyright laws
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use if the DVD, VHS, CD, Vinyl Record cover or movie poster is not isolated or the main focus of the content

Easter Eggs (Painted Designs)

• Complex easter egg designs are subject to copyright protection. Simple easter egg designs, however, can be acceptable for commercial use
• Unacceptable for commercial use if the easter egg design is complex/unique and does not have an accompanying property release signed by the artist
• Simple designs are acceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption, as long as the complex egg design is not isolated

Electronics (smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices)

• Electronics with logos, brand names, brand identifiers (such as Apple’s signature square home button icon), and unique designs specific to a brand are subject to copyright protection. Unacceptable for commercial use
• Electronics that have generic, unbranded designs and are free of logos, brand names, and brand identifiers can be acceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Elvis Presley

• Elvis Presley's name, image, and likeness are protected under trademark and copyright laws. Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use if Elvis Presley's name, image, and/or likeness is not isolated or the main focus of the content
• Content showing Elvis impersonators is acceptable for editorial use if the title states that it is an impersonator

Emojis

• Emojis, such as those designed by Apple and Facebook, are subject to copyright protection
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Famous Trophies and Awards

• Awards given at festivals, ceremonies, and events, such as the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes, etc., are copyrighted
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Fictional Characters (isolated)

• Fictional characters, such as those from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lego, and other franchises, where the characters are depicted as isolated or the main focus of the content, are subject to copyright protection
• Acceptable for editorial use if the copyrighted character is not isolated or the main focus of the content.

Fonts

• Font sets closely based on existing commercial typefaces are subject to copyright protection. Unacceptable for commercial use
• Original font sets can be acceptable for commercial use

• Commercial font sets can be used in illustrations and vectors as long as they are converted into shapes

Frankenstein's Monster

• The portrayal of Frankenstein’s monster, specifically the Universal Pictures version of the character with features such as green skin, neck bolts, and protruding forehead, is copyrighted
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption
• These images will be evaluated on a case by case basis

Globes and Maps

• The designs of globes and maps, especially those with symbols unique to the cartographer, are subject to copyright protection
• General restrictions for globes and maps submitted for commercial use include:
• Flat scans of maps
• Isolated globes or maps
• Recognizable symbols or components which are particular to the cartographer
• Visible key or legend
• Globes and maps that have generic, unbranded designs and are free of logos, brand names, and keys/legends can be acceptable for commercial use. 

Graffiti and Street Art

• Graffiti and street art, including tags, are subject to copyright protection and require a valid property release from the artist for commercial use
• Content containing graffiti or street art that is isolated or the main focus is unacceptable for editorial use
• Graffiti/street art which appears to have been taken in San Francisco, CA is unacceptable for either commercial or editorial use

Guitars (Isolated)

• Guitars with unique designs or brand identifiers, such as guitars made by Rickenbacker, Gibson, and Fender, where the guitar/s is depicted as isolated or the main focus of the content, are subject to copyright protection
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Images of isolated guitars may be accepted for editorial use with a proper caption and press credentials, if applicable

Guy Fawkes Mask

• The design of the Guy Fawkes mask is copyrighted.

• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Handbags (Isolated)

• Handbags with unique designs, fabric patterns, or brand identifiers, where the handbag/s is depicted as isolated or the main focus of the content, are subject to copyright protection
• Content showing isolated, generic handbags can be acceptable for commercial use
• Images of isolated handbags are acceptable for editorial use as long as the image is newsworthy and is accompanied with a proper editorial caption and press credentials, if applicable

Jewelry (Isolated)

• Jewelry with unique designs or brand identifiers, where the jewelry is depicted as isolated or the main focus of the content, is subject to copyright protection.
• Content showing isolated, generic jewelry can be acceptable for commercial use.
• Images that feature jewelry taken at trade shows, conventions, demonstrations, etc. are acceptable for editorial use as long as the image is newsworthy and is accompanied with a proper editorial caption and, where applicable, press credentials to shoot the event

Military Medals and Service Badges

• Military medals, service badges, and other forms of military insignia of any nation’s military service are subject to copyright protection
• This includes agency insignia, military decorations, golden eagles and presidential seals. Other unit insignia in the form of patches, flags, metal insignia, or other heraldic devices are also protected
• Images containing insignia of a nation’s military active service are only acceptable as part of an editorial photograph with a proper caption

Modern Buildings

• The architectural designs of modern buildings are subject to copyright protection
• Cityscapes will be considered, as long as the modern building is not the primary subject of the image. These images will be evaluated on a case by case basis
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption unless specifically restricted

Museum Interiors

• Content captured inside a museum requires a valid property release from an authorized representative of the museum. Additionally, museum interiors that contain artwork that is isolated or the main focus of the content are unacceptable for commercial or editorial use
• Unacceptable for commercial use unless a valid property release from an authorized representative of the museum is provided
• Acceptable for editorial use as long as artwork in the museum is not isolated or the main focus of the content. Editorial submissions will be considered with a proper caption
• Submissions will be evaluated on a case by case basis

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Flag and Emblem

• The NATO flag and emblem are copyrighted
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with proper caption
• “NATO” and “North Atlantic Treaty Organization” may only be used in the metadata of editorial content

Mississippi Paddle Steamers (Paddle Boats)

• Famous paddle streamboats operating on the Mississippi River in the United States are trademarked, such as the Delta Queen, Natchez, Belle of Louisville, and the Spirit of Peoria.
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Ordnance Survey Maps (Landranger, Explorer)

• Map designs by Ordnance Survey, the national mapping agency of the UK, such as the OS Landranger and OS Explorer maps, are copyrighted
• Unacceptable for commercial or editorial use

Oscar Statuette

• The design of the Oscar statuette, an award given by the Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for motion picture-related achievements, is copyrighted
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption, if not isolated; press credentials and additional property releases may be required

Parental Advisory Notice

• The Parental Advisory sticker seen on CDs and other media is copyrighted
• Unacceptable for commercial use

Passport Stamps/Covers

• Passport stamps/passport covers that show identifying information, e.g. names, addresses, signatures, etc., cannot be accepted for commercial or editorial use. If there is no identifying information visible, the content can be acceptable for commercial or editorial use

Playing Cards

• Playing cards, especially unique designs on backs of cards, face cards, and joker cards that are identifiable to a brand are subject to copyright protection
• Front of Card
• Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are unacceptable for commercial use if the cards are the main focus or subject
• Back of Card
• All designs on the backs of cards are subject to copyright
• Backs of cards that are the main focus or subject are unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption
• All cards will be reviewed on a case by case basis

Postcards

• Content showing postcard images not designed by the contributor are subject to copyright protection

• Unacceptable unless only the postcard back is shown and that postcard back design is generic and contains no identifiable information (names, addresses, etc).

Postal Stamps

• Designs of postage stamps are subject to copyright protection. Specifically, stamps from Singapore and Macao, China, as well as stamps featuring celebrities (non-deceased) or cartoon/animated characters (e.g., superheroes and characters from Disney, Pixar, the Muppets, comic books) are unacceptable for commercial or editorial use
• Acceptable for editorial use if the stamp is a genuine postage stamp, if there is a cancellation mark on the stamp, and if the title of the content contains copyright attribution to the appropriate Postal Service and artist of the work on the stamp

POW/MIA Flag

• To prevent misuse, content showing the POW/MIA flag is unacceptable for commercial use
• Unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Primates

• Photographs and footage showing primates in unnatural settings (such as a photography studio or office) or unnatural scenarios (such as wearing human clothing or riding a bicycle) cannot be accepted for commercial use. This restriction only concerns great ape and monkey groups and only applies to photographs and footage
• Unacceptable for commercial use if content is a photo or video
• Acceptable for commercial use if content is an illustration, vector, or animation
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Public Domain Content

• Content in the public domain or content incorporating elements from public domain content, such as scans of photographs or copies of public domain artwork or footage, cannot be accepted for commercial or editorial use
• Eezy does not accept public domain footage

Public Transportation Terminals

• Transportation hubs including, train stations, airports, and metro stations
• Recognizable interiors are unacceptable for commercial use
• Exteriors are acceptable for commercial use if free of logos or other identifying information.  These will be reviewed on a case by case basis
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

• The letters “RCMP” and content featuring uniformed Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are subject to copyright protection
• Unacceptable for commercial use without written authorization from the RCMP Intellectual Property Office
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

• Content showing reindeers with red noses and the word “Rudolph” in the content or metadata is subject to copyright protection

• Can be acceptable for commercial use if the word “Rudolph” is not present in the content or metadata of content showing reindeers with red noses

Sensitive Information

• Content showing sensitive information, which includes, but is not limited to: email addresses, bar codes, credit card information, phone numbers, identifiable full names, signatures, street addresses, website addresses, or X-Rays, is restricted in order to protect individuals’ privacy and to prevent fraudulent activity
• Content showing placeholder information that is generic and not identifiable to an individual or entity can be acceptable for commercial use

Sheet Music

• Sheet music, including compositions in the public domain, is subject to copyright protection
• Content showing original sheet music must be accompanied by a property release from the original composer if submitting for commercial use

Shoes (Isolated)

• Shoes with unique designs, fabric patterns, or brand identifiers, where the shoes are depicted as isolated or the main focus of the content, are subject to copyright protection
• Content showing isolated, generic shoes can be acceptable for commercial use

Sports Balls - Soccer, Rugby, Volleyball, Football, Basketball

• Sports ball designs, such as soccer balls, rugby balls, volleyballs, footballs, and basketballs, are unique to sporting good manufacturers and sports franchises and, therefore, subject to copyright protection
• Unique designs on footballs (soccer balls), rugby balls and volleyballs are unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Modern Sculptures / Statues

• Modern sculptures / statues (those created after 1900) on public or private property require a property release from the artist for commercial use. Additional property releases may be required if content is captured on private property
• Can be acceptable for commercial use if sculpture/statue is not modern (i.e. sculpture/statue was created before 1990). Non-modern statues on private property may require a release from the private property owner when submitted for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use unless the modern statue is specifically restricted
• Isolated statues in museums are unacceptable for both commercial or editorial use
• Additional property releases may be required
• These images will be evaluated on a case by case basis

Stuffed Animals & Toys

• Stuffed animals and toys with unique designs or brand identifiers are subject to copyright protection
• Can be acceptable for commercial use if stuffed animal/toy is a generic design and is free of logos and other brand identifiers

Sunglasses

• Sunglasses with unique designs or brand identifiers, where the sunglasses are depicted as isolated or the main focus of the content, are subject to copyright protection
• Content showing isolated, generic sunglasses can be acceptable for commercial use
• Sunglasses that are featured at trade shows, conventions, demonstrations, etc., are acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption and press credentials, if applicable

Tattoos

• Prominent tattoos of unique designs are unacceptable for commercial use unless accompanied by a valid property release signed by the creator of the tattoo design. Models with unique tattoos require a model release, even if the person is unidentifiable.
• Can be acceptable for commercial use without a property release if tattoo is simple and isolated/main focus or if tattoo is unique and is incidental/out of focus
• Images will be reviewed on a case by case basis
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Theme Parks and Amusement Parks

• Content captured at recognizable theme parks and amusement parks, such as Disney World, Disneyland, Busch Gardens, Sea World, and Universal Studios, are unacceptable for commercial use
• Acceptable for editorial use unless theme park is specifically restricted. Content captured at events and shows within a theme park can be acceptable for editorial use if press credentials are provided

United Nations Flag and Emblem

• To prevent misuse, the UN flag and emblem cannot be used for commercial purposes without the authorization of the Secretary-General of the United Nations
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption

Vehicles

• Cars and other vehicles, such as boats, buses, motorcycles, scooters, RVs, trains, and trucks, where the car/vehicle is depicted as isolated or the main focus of the content, are subject to copyright protection
• Illustrations, vectors, and animations of cars and other vehicles that are isolated or the main subject of the content can be acceptable for commercial use if the design of the car/vehicle is generic and free of logos or brand identifiers
• Images of isolated vehicles may be acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption. These images will be evaluated on a case by case basis

Wallpaper, Wrapping Paper, and Textiles

• Unique wallpaper, wrapping paper, and other textiles are subject to copyright protection. Flat scans and head on shots of wallpaper, wrapping paper, and other textiles are unacceptable for both commercial or editorial use
• Can be acceptable for commercial use if the wallpaper, wrapping paper, or textile design is generic and incidental/not the main subject of the content
• Can be acceptable for editorial use as long as content is not a flat scan or head on shot of wallpaper, wrapping paper, or other textile design

• Vectors or illustrations labeled as wallpaper are acceptable for commercial use only if accompanied by a reference image (to which the contributor owns the copyright), showing the original creation

Website Logos and Screen Captures

• Photos and videos showing screen captures, such as captures of websites, TV shows, movies, video games, software, apps, and all other digital interfaces, are subject to copyright protection
• Can be acceptable for commercial use if the content on the screen is blurred or free of logos, trademarked or brand-specific terms, and any other identifiable features unique to the captured media
• Acceptable for editorial use with a proper caption