As you search for images to use in your presentation, it is important to remember that all images on the web are always copyrighted unless there is an explicit statement granting permission to use them.

Consider these options in the order listed:

1. Your best choice is to use your own content or content that Vanderbilt University owns or creates.
NOTE: you must properly de-identify any diagnostic images.

2. Use copyright cleared/creative commons-licensed content.  For example, government collections online are generally free to use.  You could also try searching the

• Creative Commons
• Wikimedia Commons
• Flickr Commons

You could try using the advanced search function in a search engine like Google (http://www.google.com/advanced_search)  or Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/search/advanced/) that allows you to search for creative commons-licensed content. Remember, you still need to provide proper attribution.

Here are some additional examples of image collections you are free to use as long as you provide proper attribution:

• OPENi: Open Access Biomedical Image Search Engine
• US Government Photos and Images
• The CDC’s Public Health Image Library (PHIL)
• Sketchymedicine.com 

3. Search a collection that we already have permission to use. We have already received explicit permission to use images from the following collections in online course environments that restrict access to enrolled students.  You must provide attribution for each image used as indicated below:

• SpringerImages:  This is a subscription database accessible via Eskind Library’s website. You’re allowed to use these images in online course modules, as long as the module is not being used for commercial purposes (see:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/).  To provide attribution, provide a link to the source page for the image — look for this “source document” link below the image you want to use.
• ECG Library (attribution: “Image used with permission from Dr [name of contributor], www.lifeinthefastlane.com. No further distribution permitted.”)
• Radiopaedia.org (attribution: “Image used with permission from Dr [name of contributor], Radiopaedia.org. No further distribution permitted.”)

4. Search for open education resources — a good place to start is FOAMed: Free Open Access Medical Education. Much like the Creative Commons, FOAMed aims to provide open access to medical education resources. You still have to request permission to use FOAMed resources, but they are likely to grant permission on the condition you provide proper attribution.

For more information, Vanderbilt CFT Director Derek Bruff discusses ways to find non-copyrighted images in this blog entry: Finding Non-Copyrighted Images for Presentations