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Yury Zap / Alamy Stock Photo

Buying stock photos, the truth about Rights Managed licenses

Find out how choosing a Rights Managed licence could save you money…

What is a Rights Managed (RM) license?

With an RM license you only pay for your specific use (how you’re using the image). Rights managed licenses define how, where, when and for how long an image is being used.

The truth about Rights Managed licenses

Myth: They’re too expensive

The truth:

The price of a Rights Managed image depends entirely on how you plan to use it. Buying a tailored RM license means you only pay for what you need. This means it can often work out cheaper than buying a Royalty Free (RF) license.

Myth: Rights Managed images don’t give me as much freedom  

The truth:

Rights Managed images can give you more freedom than you might think. Most stock photo agencies will offer free image files so you can mock up your designs before needing to pay for the use. That gives you the opportunity to figure out exactly what you’re using the image for before you part with any money.

There is also the added benefit that you can buy a Rights Managed image exclusively. So if you’re working on an ad campaign for a client, you can guarantee that a competitor or another big brand won’t use the same image. It’s a great way to guarantee your campaign is unique.

Myth: Rights Managed images aren’t “safe” to use

The truth:

Royalty Free images are often seen as the “safe” option, but there are a couple of things you can do to make sure your Rights Managed image is safe to use.

Check that the image you want to use has the necessary model and property releases, not sure about releases? Take a look at our handy guide to find out if you need one.

Use the price calculator to enter the details of you use, and create the right license for your exact needs. If you’re not sure what to enter, then call the agency – they’re experts and will help you make the right decision.
Make a note of when the license expires. That way you can relicense the image in time, and won’t be using it without permission. This is something that we can do for you if you’re worried you might forget.

Some tips to take away…

  • Use the price calculator on the image page to find out how much an RM license will cost
  • If you’re looking for a specific license (RM or RF) use the filters in the search bar to tailor your results
  • Negotiate the price on an RM license by giving the agency a call, it could turn out to be cheaper than buying an RF image.

The best license type to choose will depend on the project you’re working on, and the final use of the image. If you’re not sure what the best option is then get in touch with our experts. Our team are available on the phone, on live chat or via email.

You can find out more about license types over on Wikipedia.