Check licence before reusing images

Before reusing an image in training material, you must check its licence to see what is allowed. The licence tells you whether you can use the image for commercial or non-commercial purposes, whether you must give credit to the creator, and whether you can modify the image. A common mistake is assuming that because an image is free to view online, it is free to reuse; this is false. Always look for a Creative Commons or similar licence, and if none exists, assume the image is all rights reserved.

To avoid traps, remember that attribution is not optional even for free licences; you must name the creator and the licence type. Also check if the licence allows modifications—some require you to share any changes under the same terms. If the source is a personal blog or an obscure site, verify its credibility before trusting the licence. A quick elimination trick: if the licence says 'non-commercial', you cannot use it in paid training materials or internal company courses that generate profit.

For a compact memory aid, think of the acronym LARM: Licence, Attribution, Rights (modification), and Source. Before using any image, run through these four checks in under 30 seconds. If any one is missing or unclear, do not reuse the image until you clarify it.