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EnglishWhat the CC0 License Means for Images on MyStockPhotos
Updated
Images on MyStockPhotos (mystock.themeisle.com) are released under the CC0 license, which means you can copy, modify, and distribute them for any purpose, including commercial use, without asking permission or giving credit. The site states this directly: "All pictures are licensed under CC0 license. This means you can do whatever you want with our photos, including commercial purpose." The one condition to keep in mind is that you cannot imply the original creator endorses you or your use of the image.
What CC0 actually allows
CC0 is a public domain dedication, not a traditional license with conditions attached. When a creator applies CC0 to a work, they waive as many of their rights as legally possible, effectively placing the work in the public domain. For practical purposes, that gives you four core freedoms:
- Use the image in personal or commercial projects
- Modify it — crop, recolor, composite, or edit it however you like
- Distribute it — share it, publish it, or include it in products you sell
- Combine it with other works without tracking attribution obligations
No attribution is required. You do not need to credit MyStockPhotos, the photographer, or link back to the site, though doing so is never prohibited.
What CC0 does not allow
The restriction that survives CC0 is about implied endorsement. You cannot use an image in a way that suggests the original photographer, MyStockPhotos, or Themeisle approves of your product, service, or message. For example, placing a photo of a person next to a testimonial or a political statement in a way that implies they support it crosses that line.
A few other practical limits apply, even though they are not unique to CC0:
- No warranty. The site provides images "as is." You are responsible for checking that a specific image does not contain identifiable people, trademarks, or property that would require a separate release for your intended use.
- Rights you cannot waive. CC0 only covers rights the creator holds. If an image contains a recognizable face, a logo, or private property, those third-party rights are not automatically cleared by CC0.
How this compares to other common image licenses
| License | Commercial use | Attribution required | Can modify |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC0 (MyStockPhotos) | Yes | No | Yes |
| CC BY | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CC BY-NC | No | Yes | Yes |
| Royalty-free stock (paid) | Usually yes, per license terms | Usually no | Often restricted |
CC0 is the most permissive of these. If you have used CC BY images before and found the attribution requirement inconvenient, CC0 removes that step entirely.
Practical steps before you publish
- Confirm the license on the page you download from. The site states all pictures are CC0, but checking the individual image page is a reasonable habit, especially if the collection grows or terms change.
- Check for identifiable people or brands. CC0 does not grant you model or property releases. If you plan to use a photo of a person in an advertisement, for instance, you may need a release the site cannot provide.
- Avoid endorsement framing. Do not place images in contexts that suggest the photographer or MyStockPhotos backs your product.
- Keep a record if you want. Since attribution is optional, you can note the source for your own tracking, but you are not obligated to display it.
Common points of confusion
"Do I need to credit MyStockPhotos?" No. Attribution is optional under CC0.
"Can I sell products that include these images?" Yes. Commercial use is explicitly permitted.
"Can I claim I took the photo?" CC0 waives copyright, but misrepresenting authorship can still raise other legal issues depending on your jurisdiction. The safer approach is to use the image without claiming credit either way.
"Is every image on the site definitely CC0?" The site's About page and footer both state that all pictures are CC0. If you need certainty for a high-stakes project, verify the specific image page before relying on it.