Skip to content
The Rights DeskPicture licensing, explained

The Rights Desk explains picture licensing for UK buyers, from rights-managed and royalty-free deals to releases, orphan works and AI image provenance.

Shelf 01 · Licensing Basics

Picture licensing basics for UK buyers

A clear starting point for UK picture buyers on copyright, licence types and fees, plus how rights-managed and royalty-free deals limit reuse today.

· The editorial team of The Rights Desk

A small publishing team compares large photographic prints spread across a meeting table in an office.
Comparing prints before reading the licence terms that govern reuse.

On this shelf

3 guides

Every guide on this shelf is listed below with its summary; neighbouring shelves follow.

  1. No. 01

    Common picture licensing terms in plain English

    A plain English guide to common picture licensing terms, from territory and duration to exclusivity, renewals and what a buyer's fee actually covers.

    Section
    Licensing Basics
  2. No. 02

    Orphan works and the diligent search

    How UK buyers should approach orphan works, from diligent search and risk checks to licences, fees and when a picture must always be left unused today.

    Section
    Licensing Basics
  3. No. 03

    Paying for licensed images with Scottish business support

    How Scottish small firms can cover picture licensing costs through small business grants, the Small Business Bonus Scheme and public funding advice.

    Section
    Licensing Basics

Two neighbouring shelves extend this one: Releases and Reuse and Finding and Provenance.