Find answers to common questions about licensing photos and video, usage rights, subscriptions, downloads and special licensing from APA Images.
Licensing Basics
What does “Editorial Use” mean?
Editorial Use covers news, current affairs, journalism, reporting, educational and informational uses in websites, newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, documentaries and similar editorial contexts.
Editorial content may not be used for advertising, commercial promotion, product endorsement or branded campaigns unless additional rights have been granted.
What is Rights Managed licensing?
Rights Managed licensing means that permission to use content is granted for a defined purpose and under specific conditions.
A license may specify:
- Type of use
- Media
- Territory
- Duration
- Resolution or file quality
- Exclusivity
- Broadcast rights
- Other asset-specific restrictions
Purchasing a license does not transfer copyright ownership.
What is the difference between Editorial and Commercial use?
Editorial Use relates to news, journalism, reporting, documentary, educational and informational contexts.
Commercial Use includes advertising, marketing, promotional campaigns, branded content, merchandise and other uses intended to promote a product, service, company or organization.
Commercial use requires specific authorization from APA Images.
What are Custom Rights?
Custom Rights cover uses that are not included in our standard published licenses.
These may include:
- Commercial use
- Advertising
- Exclusive rights
- Extended documentary rights
- Special broadcast rights
- Special territories or durations
- Redistribution or syndication
- Other negotiated uses
Select Custom Rights on the asset page to request a quotation.
Purchasing Content
Can I license a single photo or video?
Yes.
For content with a published price, select the required license and file quality, add the asset to your cart or choose Buy Now, and complete the purchase online.
For commercial, exclusive, documentary or other special uses, select Custom Rights and request a quotation from APA Images.
Do I need an account to license content?
Some standard purchases may be available without a subscription.
Creating an account is recommended because it allows you to manage your licenses, downloads, invoices and previous purchases in one place.
Subscriptions and institutional services require an account.
What does “Instant Purchase” mean?
Instant Purchase means that the asset has a published license and price.
You can select the available file quality, complete payment and receive the licensed file without waiting for a manual quotation.
When should I request a licensing quote?
Request a quote when your intended use is not covered by a standard published license.
Examples include:
- Commercial campaigns
- Advertising
- Exclusive rights
- Extended documentary use
- Special broadcast use
- Redistribution or syndication
- Special institutional agreements
If you are unsure, our licensing team can help determine the appropriate license.
How does payment work?
For fixed-price licenses, the total price is displayed before checkout.
Once payment is successfully completed, the licensed file becomes available according to the terms of the selected license.
Custom licensing requests may require a quotation or invoice before delivery.
Are taxes included in the displayed price?
Any applicable taxes will be shown during checkout or on the invoice, according to the applicable transaction and billing requirements.
Usage Rights
Can I use APA Images content on a website?
Yes, if your license includes web or digital editorial use.
The content must be used within the scope, duration and other conditions of the selected license.
Can I use APA Images content on social media?
Social media use may be permitted when it is directly connected to the licensed editorial publication or use.
Independent advertising, promotional or commercial social media use may require additional rights.
Can I use a photo or video on YouTube?
Yes, where your license covers the intended online video, educational, editorial or documentary use.
Commercial channels, sponsored productions, advertising campaigns or other special uses may require Custom Rights.
Can I use APA Images content in a documentary?
Yes, subject to the appropriate license.
Documentary licensing may depend on factors such as the nature of the production, distribution, audience, territory and duration.
For professional, commercial or widely distributed documentary productions, we recommend requesting Custom Rights.
Can I use a video for television or broadcast?
Only where the selected license includes the required broadcast rights.
Broadcast clients may also request higher-quality files or Broadcast Master versions where available.
Can I use an image in advertising or marketing?
Not under a standard Editorial Use license.
Advertising, promotional, branded and other commercial uses require Commercial or Custom Rights from APA Images.
Can I request exclusive rights?
Yes, where exclusive rights are available.
Availability and pricing depend on the asset, intended use, territory, duration and scope of exclusivity.
Select Custom Rights to submit your request.
License Duration and Territory
What does “Worldwide” mean?
Worldwide means that the licensed use is not restricted to a specific country or region, subject to all other conditions and restrictions of the license.
How long does a license last?
The license duration is shown on the asset page and in your license confirmation.
Where a license specifies a fixed period, such as 365 days, use beyond that period may require renewal or an additional license.
The specific license confirmation issued for your purchase determines the exact rights granted.
What happens when my license expires?
New use, reuse or continued use outside the licensed period may require renewal or a new license.
Please refer to your license confirmation or contact APA Images if you require extended rights.
File Quality and Downloads
What is the difference between Small, Medium and Original photo files?
These options primarily refer to the dimensions and resolution of the delivered file.
Small is suitable for many web and digital uses.
Medium provides higher resolution for larger digital and publishing requirements.
Original provides the highest available resolution for that asset.
File resolution does not automatically change the usage rights granted by the license.
What video qualities are available?
Available quality depends on the original material.
Options may include:
- Web
- HD
- Full HD
- Broadcast Master
- 4K, where available
The asset page displays the qualities available for licensing.
Are licensed files delivered without a watermark?
Yes.
Watermarked images and videos displayed on the website are previews only.
Licensed files are delivered without the APA Images preview watermark and at the quality included in your license.
Can I re-download a file I already licensed?
Yes, where your account and license allow it.
Registered users can access eligible previously licensed content through their account.
Re-downloading the same asset under the same valid license does not create additional usage rights.
Subscriptions and Packs
What is the difference between a subscription and a download pack?
A subscription provides ongoing access under a recurring plan and may include a defined number of downloads, content types, file qualities and user permissions.
A download pack provides a predetermined number of downloads or credits without the same recurring subscription structure.
The exact benefits are shown with each plan.
Does downloading the same asset again use another subscription credit?
Where a subscription is based on unique licensed assets, re-downloading the same asset under the same valid license does not consume another asset credit.
A new use or different license may require an additional license.
Can several people in my organization use the same plan?
Institutional and newsroom plans may support multiple authorized users within one organization.
The number of users and their permissions depend on the selected plan or institutional agreement.
Personal account credentials should not be shared unless specifically permitted.
Do subscriptions include both photos and video?
This depends on the selected plan.
APA Images may offer:
- Photo plans
- Video plans
- Combined Photo + Video plans
- Newsroom and institutional plans
Always check the content types and limits included in your plan.
Do institutional subscriptions include FTP/SFTP or API delivery?
FTP/SFTP, API access and automated distribution may be available to eligible institutional clients and media partners.
Availability depends on the selected plan or contractual agreement.
Credits and Editing
How should I credit APA Images content?
Use the credit line supplied with the asset.
A typical photo credit is:
Photo by [Photographer Name]/APA Images
A typical video credit is:
Video by [Cameraperson Name]/APA Images
Where a different credit line is specified with an asset, that credit must be used.
Can I crop or edit a licensed image?
Reasonable technical adjustments such as cropping, resizing and normal colour correction are generally permitted for editorial use.
You may not alter an image or video in a way that changes its journalistic meaning, misrepresents the event or creates a misleading impression.
Asset-specific restrictions always apply.
Can I share the original licensed file with another organization?
Not unless your license specifically permits it.
A license is granted to the individual or organization identified in the license confirmation.
Original files may not be resold, redistributed, sublicensed or transferred to unrelated third parties without permission from APA Images.
Copyright and Restrictions
Does purchasing a license transfer copyright ownership?
No.
Purchasing a license grants permission to use the content under specific conditions.
Copyright remains with APA Images, the photographer, contributor or other relevant rights holder.
Why do some assets have additional restrictions?
Certain news, archival or third-party content may carry additional restrictions because of copyright, contributor agreements, embargoes, source restrictions or other editorial considerations.
Any restriction displayed with the asset or included in the license confirmation forms part of the license.
Can APA Images content be used to train AI models?
A standard APA Images license does not grant permission to use our content for:
- AI or machine-learning training
- Dataset creation
- Generative AI model development
- Computer vision training
- Redistribution for AI training purposes
Such use requires specific written permission from APA Images.
Support
What if the use I need is not listed?
Select Custom Rights or contact our licensing team.
Please provide:
- APA Asset ID
- Intended use
- Media or platform
- Territory
- Duration
- Organization
- Whether exclusivity is required
We will advise you on the appropriate license.
Where can I find my licenses and invoices?
Registered customers can access available purchase, licensing and billing information through their account.
For assistance with a previous transaction, provide the relevant APA Asset ID or order reference when contacting us.
Who should I contact if I have a licensing question?
For licensing, special rights, institutional plans and distribution enquiries, contact:
APA Images — Sales & Licensing