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1COR13
Participating Frequently
October 20, 2025
Answered

Adobe Express Premium Fair Image Use or Copyright Infringement Concern?

  • October 20, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 278 views

Good Day #Adobe & #Community,

 

Ran into a problem of having a Copyright Infringement company threatening fees and follow-up action due to my use of images from Adobe Express (Premium) that I posted to a client's blog.

 

My question is: is this legitimate? Do they have a case?

 

(What would be the point of paying a subscription for images if you couldn't use them--or do all images require modification, regardless of use-case? Even simply referential on a company blog?)

 

This is a tremendous concern--so help with this would be stress-relieving--I have been using Adobe Express for the greater part of 2 years now and have relied extensively on it for supportive images, banners, CTAs, highlight images, product call-outs, etc. Having to fix this or replace these images would be a *tremendous* undertaking. 

 

Thank you ahead of time for shedding some light into this and, hopefully, alleviating my concerns. ; )

Correct answer David__B

Hi @default32268229spmnpq


Did some checking and this is what I found out. Images in Adobe Express are from the Adobe Stock library, so the FAQ I shared with you would be relevant. Editorial use means non-commercial use. It's likely that the same stock images were licensed to multiple stock image providers. So you can let Picrights.com know you licensed the image through Adobe Stock

Here is an example for the image you shared
https://stock.adobe.com/images/the-water-pumps/175355062

 You can get the stock asset number with it selected, choosing source info from the drop-down  

3 replies

David__B
Adobe Employee
David__BCorrect answer
Adobe Employee
October 28, 2025

Hi @default32268229spmnpq


Did some checking and this is what I found out. Images in Adobe Express are from the Adobe Stock library, so the FAQ I shared with you would be relevant. Editorial use means non-commercial use. It's likely that the same stock images were licensed to multiple stock image providers. So you can let Picrights.com know you licensed the image through Adobe Stock

Here is an example for the image you shared
https://stock.adobe.com/images/the-water-pumps/175355062

 You can get the stock asset number with it selected, choosing source info from the drop-down  

    1
    1COR13Author
    Participating Frequently
    October 28, 2025

    Hi David__B,

    Thank you kindly for the return and support--this helps extensively--and hopefully it'll help other writers / freelancers / bloggers who face this copyright claim and fine precedent in the future. 

    Thanks again, best of regards,

    1COR13

      David__B
      Adobe Employee
      David__B
      Adobe Employee
      October 21, 2025

      Thanks for the additional details. Let me do some checking around and see what I can find out. I'll follow up when I can.

        David__B
        Adobe Employee
        David__B
        Adobe Employee
        October 20, 2025

        Hi @default32268229spmnpq

        I'm not sure but this licensing FAQ might help
        https://adobe.ly/3LlDwtx

         

        I haven't heard of this being an issue before. I think for blogs you do need to credit the photo. Please see the "Do I need to add a photo credit" topic at the bottom of the general licensing section.


        Best,
        Dave

          1
          1COR13Author
          Participating Frequently
          October 21, 2025

          Hi Dave,

           

          Thank you for the reply. But, this was regarding the photos provided as part of the Adobe Express Premium plan, within the supplied media and reserved for paying users--not Adobe Stock. My content is not a part of an editorial. 

           

          Regarding the statement of not hearing this before--while this helps think my use is legitimate--several online forums can be found discussing similar allegations regarding a company's supposed copyright infringement. Picrights.com is a common accuser. Just Google, Is Picrights.com a scam? and you'll see other's complaints.

           

          The company I have provided my work to--including Adobe's images within Express--is being fined nearly $2500 for each image, so it is indeed concerning. 

           

          I've attached their complaint showcasing the alleged image. This one is easy to find in Adobe Express--just search "Water Pumps" and it'll show up. According to the plaintiff, the "rights holder" is YayImages--is it not technically Adobe?

           

          Thank you again for your attention.

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