iStockphoto - Stock Photography Training Manual

7.0 Legal Requirements

7.1 Products & Objects

Products

Identifiable packaging, modern toys, and brand name products cannot be shot as 'product shots' (images where they are the main subject) and in some cases cannot appear regardless of the context.

Not Acceptable:

Acceptable:

Cars

Not Acceptable:

Visible brand names or logos, regardless of the car's age or model.
Cars manufactured after 1985 as the main focus – no 'product shots'.
Luxury cars of any kind or age
Exotic cars, regardless of context and size
Car lots (dealerships) with several cars of the same model or brand visible.
3D renders based on actual models that fall into the descriptions above.

Acceptable:

Cars manufactured in 1985 or earlier, as the main focus or not.
Cars manufactured after 1985 that are not luxury cars and are not the main focus of the image, representing less than 20% of the image.
Cars as the main focus at certain angles or in certain contexts where they are not recognizable.
In some cases luxury cars may be acceptable if they play a very minor role in the image, such as traffic shots or street views containing several cars.
3D renders that do not resemble real cars.

Figurines

Major brands or unique hand-made figurines are not acceptable. Mass-produced figurines may be acceptable in some cases.

Not Acceptable:

Acceptable:

Book and Newspapers

Texts that are more than partially visible are not acceptable. We also cannot accept anything that features elements which would clearly identify a specific publication. Visible artwork and photographs, book titles, newspaper names, logos, names and illustrations all need to removed.

Not Acceptable:

Acceptable:

Maps

Complete scans or photographs that show a major or complete portion of a map are not acceptable. Older/antique maps, and non-identifiable close-ups may be okay.

Not Acceptable:

Acceptable:

Playing Cards

The majority of cards found in a deck of playing cards fall into public domain and are considered "safe" for royalty free usage, however there are artwork elements in each deck of playing cards that distinguishes the deck back to its respective manufacturer. This artwork is typically displayed on the Ace of Spades, the Joker, the card backing, and the tuck box. These designs may not be included in the composition of photography submitted to the Royalty-Free collection.

The only exception to this rule is where designs are free of identifiable artwork due to shallow depth of field, or in the case of card backings, where the backings serve as a minor element in the composition and/or the image is conceptual outside of the cards themselves.

Not Acceptable:

Acceptable:

Provided the playing cards are of a classic layout, and unremarkable in appearance, the remaining cards in a deck are the safest to use as elements in an image. If the playing card is overly unique and can be traced back to it respective manufacturer then they may not be included in the composition.

Not Acceptable: