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VintageMedStock
Participant
September 19, 2023
Question

Public domain age?

  • September 19, 2023
  • 5 replies
  • 506 views

How old does an image need to be (e.g., 80 yrs old, 90 yrs old, 95 yrs old, etc.) to be considered public domain, and acceptable in Adobe Stock's library without a model/property release?

 

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5 replies

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 20, 2023

It's a moot point since you can't submit work by other artists.  Public Domain images are NO GO.  See screenshot below.

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/submission-guidelines.html

 

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    V
    VintageMedStockAuthor
    Participant
    September 20, 2023

    Thanks for your replies! 

    I've been a stock photographer for 25 years, photographing +100 year old, forgotten, not Disney-ish, out-of-date books (weird hobby, but yeah, example attached). Are these types of images not acceptable?

    Abambo
    Community Expert
    AbamboCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 20, 2023
    quote


    (weird hobby, but yeah, example attached)


    By @VintageMedStock

    I think it's a great hobby…

     

    …but I fear that this is not what Adobe stock is looking for. First, Adobe may ask you for a property release and second, the quality is not up to the standards of Adobe. Your example picture shows grain. I know, it's inherently in the asset, but still, it won’t pass the quality check.

    ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
      Abambo
      Community Expert
      AbamboCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 20, 2023

      There are several issues here. The most important issue is that Adobe does not accept public domain images. 

       

      Copyright is granted for up to 70 years (out of memory) after the creators death. Several conditions, however, apply. It also depends on where the creator lived, as different laws may be applicale and several international conventions.

      ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
        Jill_C
        Community Expert
        Jill_CCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 20, 2023

        More details are given here:
        How Long Does Copyright Protection Last? (FAQ) | U.S. Copyright Office

        Jill C., Forum Volunteer
        daniellei4510
        Community Expert
        daniellei4510Community Expert
        Community Expert
        September 19, 2023

        I pulled this from the internet and I'm by no means an expert on the subject but "If the creator of the photo becomes known, and the creator passed away before January 1, 1972, then the photo is in the public domain. If the creator of the photo becomes known, and the creator passed away on or after January 1, 1972, then the photo is copyright protected until 70 years after the creator's death."

        But I believe there may be other issues involved, such as an image being in control of the deceased's estate. So you might want to do some additional googling for more details.

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