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All FilesAll FilesAny readable company name, logo, element or design that represents or could identify a company or its product will ALWAYS be rejected by iStock.
Generally, identifiable 'product' style illustrations* should be handled with extreme care (for trade dress - the protection of design). If the inspection team feels that the product design represented as the main subject of a clip is protected, it will be rejected unless accompanied by a property release.
* Illustrations where the product is the main and primary subject.
A modern product should be avoided as the primary composition where its potential use could endorse another product, company, business or corporation. A product should be used as an accompaniment to the overall concept of composition.
The design of a map and/or globe is owned by the creator and/or the company which commissioned the artist. Map and/or globes as part of a composition should NEVER be clearly identifiable. We do accept ‘generic’ map designs such as silhouettes.
When submitting a map illustration, you must include the following information in your image description:
Every public building has different requirements for illustrators to access and record land, structures, contents, interiors and exteriors. Check with the security office and obtain consent, if possible. Some buildings may have information about commercial photography posted on their web site. (Exception: Any building (with logos removed) as part of a cityscape is acceptable as part of an illustration. Under no exception is a reference photo of a private building taken from within the property acceptable without a property release).
For more information on specific building structures see the iStock Technical Wiki.
Information that may identify an object or property requires the identifying mark or text to be removed or a property release to be obtained. Identifying marks include: license plates, airplane call letters, boat names, addresses, identification, credit cards, etc.
In accordance with privacy rights, residential homes (as clearly recognizable in the illustration) will ALWAYS require a property release, irrelevant if the home number is visible in the illustration.
Sport figures, uniforms, team insignia and professional athletes will NOT be accepted unless accompanied by a property release. Professional sporting events are strictly protected by the venue and NOT allowed in the use of royalty-free stock illustration.
Only statues dating older than 75 years of age (with exception to private ownership) are acceptable as part of an illustration. Sculptures, figurines, installations, modern art any object in a museum, any object in an art gallery including public sculpture, some architecture, and advertisements are likely protected and should be accompanied by a property release for use in royalty-free stock illustrations.
Using vintage photography as reference material is only acceptable if the photo has been inherited from the original creator (family member), passing down copyright ownership. Illustrations based on vintage photography must always be accompanied by a property release (and model release where appropriate).
