Photo credit

[GeorgiaKo]

Hi 

I have two questions.

1. I have been using Adobe stock images standard assets (not marked as Editorial Images on the Adobe stock photos website) with standard licence (not extended license) on my travel-focused website without credit. Is this ok? 

2. I have just been approved as a direct publisher on MSN.com. This means that I will be publishing my travel-related content on the MSN.com platform. There might be references to recent travel-related research and trends in travel in my content.

Do I need to add photo credit on MSN.com for Standard photos (not marked as Editorial assets on the Adobe Stock website) for which I have bought the Standard License (not the Extended License)?

If I should add photo credit on MSN.com, do I do it in the form "Image credit: [Photographer's Name] - Adobe Stock" or is "Image credit: Adobe Stock" enough, since for many photos I only have the nickname of the photographer? And do I add the credit on the photo or in the caption of the photo right under it?

[GeorgiaKo]

3. If I want to use the images on social media with the post I have published on both my website and on MSN.com, do I need to give photo credit? If yes, where and in what format?

In case it matters and it's not clear, the post on MSN.com will originate on my website, meaning I will be publishing it on my website and from there it will be pulled by MSN.com.

[GeorgiaKo]

4. If I will be editing the Adobe stock photos (cropping and changing the colors), does it impact whether I should give credit or not?

[Abambo · Accepted solution]

For any editorial use of the assets, you need to credit the author. "Editorial use only" means that those assets can't be used in a commercial settings (like an advertisement). It does not mean, that only those assets need to be credited, if used in an editorial way. All assets need to be credited when credit is mandatory. 

For editorial use, the editing options are limited, but they do not influence the initial obligation to credit the author and Adobe stock.

Crediting an asset should be done at a place where appropriate. There is no obligatory place where the credit should be placed. You need to decide on the best position for the credit, so that it is visible and clear, what asset gets the credit.

Look here for more information on licensing: https://community.adobe.com/t5/stock/links-for-licensing-terms/td-p/11366788
(Disclaimer: As always with licensing, this is my interpretation of the rules. I think they are correct and advice is based on reading and interpreting the licence terms and on fair use for both the buyer and the artist/stock company, but I cannot rule out that my interpretation is wrong. I'm not an Adobe employee).

[GeorgiaKo]

Thank you for your reply. 

I have talked with Adobe employees on the support chat and they have told me that I can use the assets on MSN.com without credit. But I need to be sure before proceeding.

It would be great if an Adobe employee can reply to get a clear answer on whether posting on MSN.com is considered editorial use. 

Thank you.

[Abambo]

As MSN is a news site, you will use the pictures, probably to illustrate your news postings. If that is the case, then the customer care agents are giving incorrect advice.