Copyright and Image Rights Guide

Every photograph is automatically protected by copyright under Irish and EU law from the moment it is created. Using a photograph without the copyright holder's permission is an infringement, even if the image was found freely available online.

CulinEire takes image rights seriously. Publishing unlicensed images exposes both the author and the platform to legal liability under the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 (Ireland) and the EU Copyright Directive (2019/790).

A watermark is a visible copyright notice. It means the image belongs to someone else.

• Do not upload watermarked images, even if the watermark has been cropped out of the visible area. Cropping does not transfer rights.
• Watermarks from services such as Getty Images, Shutterstock, Alamy, or similar indicate that the image is licensed commercial stock photography and requires a paid licence to use.
• If you found an image on Google Images, Pinterest, or a recipe blog, this does not mean you have rights to use it.
• Submitting a watermarked or unlicensed image may result in immediate content removal and account suspension.

The safest choice is to use your own original photographs. As the photographer, you own the copyright automatically.

• Select "My own photo" as the Image Rights option when submitting your recipe.
• No additional credit is required for your own work.

Some photographers make their work available under Creative Commons or other open licences. You can use these images if you comply with the licence terms.

• CC BY (Attribution): You may use the image if you credit the photographer and source. This is the most permissive licence.
• CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike): You may use the image with credit, and any derivatives must use the same licence.
• CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial): Use permitted for non-commercial purposes with credit.
• CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivatives): Use permitted with credit, but no modifications.
• CC0 (Public Domain Dedication): No restrictions; no credit required, though crediting is good practice.

When using a Creative Commons image, include the licence name and photographer credit in the Image Credit / Licence field when submitting your recipe.

Works enter the public domain when their copyright expires (typically 70 years after the author's death under Irish and EU law) or when the creator explicitly dedicates them to the public domain.

• Public domain images may be used freely.
• Check the source carefully. Some platforms claim images are public domain when they are not.
• Reliable sources include Wikimedia Commons (CC0-marked images), the Library of Congress digital collections, and the National Library of Ireland digital collections.

• Stock images from Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay that are marked as free for commercial use may be used on CulinEire. Check the individual licence for each image.
• Images from paid stock libraries (Getty, Shutterstock, iStock) may only be used if you hold an appropriate licence. Do not use watermarked preview versions.

If you believe content on CulinEire infringes your copyright or another person's rights, please use the Report Content form. CulinEire will investigate and act promptly on verified complaints.

Last updated: May 2026. This guide does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions, consult a qualified Irish or EU intellectual property solicitor.

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