Why Obama’s Flickr Photos Aren’t In Public Domain
The White House is making unprecedented use of consumer web technologies but those technologies aren’t always well suited to fit the government’s needs.
They aren’t always well suited to fit anyone’s needs – but maybe if Obama leans on them a little bit things will change.
Recently, the White House launched an official collection of photos depicting Obama’s first 100 days in office on Flickr.
The Creative Commons Foundation asks why these photos are licensed as Creative Commons Attribution (meaning you have to credit the source) instead of being in the Public Domain free for use in any context, as data created by the Federal Government usually is.
The answer to the question? The photos aren’t Public Domain because Flickr doesn’t offer Public Domain licensing as an option.
That’s a shame for every photo publisher, not just he White House.
Creative Commons licensing makes it really easy for people who want to re-use photos to do so quickly and easily by allowing content creators to communicate their conditions for re-use ahead of time.
If you just want to get your photos out into the world with absolutely no restrictions, though, Flickr doesn’t offer that option.
Or, if you’re a government agency that wants to publish photos on the best photo sharing site on the web and make them Public Domain like you ought to – you’re out of luck.
Photo by Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
Loyd on May 15th, 2009 5:44 am
They’re not licensed as CC anymore. Flickr has them now licensed as a “Government Work” which is covered under Title 17 of U.S. Copyright Law.
It’s interesting they’re actually posting these photos though. The White House has ALWAYS had professional photographers on staff whose only job is to take pictures. Most of the time they’re released to the press on a limited basis. Making them freely available for all to see on Flickr is a HUGE step at transparency and a glimpse behind the closed doors of the American government.
Loyd on May 15th, 2009 5:45 am
Well of course their only job is to take pictures. They’re photographers after all. I meant to take pictures of the President and events at the White House.
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