Stock footage at Getty Images can be bought with two types of licenses: Royalty Free and Rights Ready. The former is a simple licensing model that grants perpetual usage rights. On the other hand, the latter is a use-by-use licensing model that you can adjust to fit your specific needs. Here is a bulleted summary of each Getty Images footage license.
Royalty Free License
- Has broad perpetual rights with few restrictions
- Has to be paid only once
- Restricted in terms of distribution
- Cannot be bought exclusively
- Can be used for commercial use
- Price ranges from $125 to $500 a la carte
In brief, a royalty free license allows you to use the footage forever, in as many projects as you want with a one-time fee.
Rights Ready License
- Price vary based on certain factors
- Maximum duration is 10 years
- Allows exclusive rights to use the footage
- Starts at $99 with simplest and smallest distribution uses
- Can be used for creative and editorial purposes
A rights ready license (which is also called Rights Managed) gives you the right to use the Getty Images footage according to your specific creative needs. Its price vary according to intended use, distribution volume and mode, duration, geography and more.
Restrictions regarding sensitive use applies to each license. You cannot use the Getty Images footage to depict the property or people in the clip in a negative way. You cannot associate them with sensitive topics, such as religion and politics, as well. Moreover, you cannot incorporate them in pornography themes, severe disease awareness campaigns, and unlawful or morally questionable projects.
Whichever license you get for your creative projects, make sure read and understand the terms and conditions carefully. You need to fully understand the restricted and permitted uses to make sure that your intended use is covered. What license will you get your Getty Images footage with? Check out the features of each to determine which license is suitable to your needs.