Guidelines for Use of NASA Imagery
As a government entity, NASA does not "license" the use of NASA imagery material (photographs, audio transmissions and recordings; and video and motion picture transmissions and recordings) or grant exclusive rights in such materials. The Agency generally has no objection to the reproduction and use of these materials, subject to the following conditions:
- WITH RESPECT TO NASA IMAGERY MATERIAL, NEITHER THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, NASA, NOR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES OR CONTRACTORS MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE VALIDITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE; NOR REPRESENT THAT USE WOULD NOT INFRINGE PRIVATELY OWNED RIGHTS; NOR ASSUME ANY LIABILITY RESULTING FROM THE USE OF SUCH MATERIALS AND SHALL IN NO WAY BE LIABLE FOR ANY COSTS, EXPENSES, CLAIMS, OR DEMANDS ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF SUCH MATERIALS.
- Neither the U.S. Government nor NASA endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services. Reference to or appearance of any specific commercial products, processes, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, in NASA imagery materials does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Government or NASA.
- NASA imagery material may not be used to state or imply the endorsement by NASA or by any NASA employee of commercial products, processes, or services, or be used in any manner that might mislead.
- NASA imagery material is not protected by copyright unless noted. If not copyrighted, NASA imagery material may be reproduced and distributed without further permission from NASA. If copyrighted, permission should be obtained from the copyright owner prior to use.
- NASA should be acknowledged as the source of NASA imagery material.
- It is unlawful to falsely claim copyright or other rights in NASA imagery material.
- NASA does not indemnify nor hold harmless users of NASA imagery material, nor release such users from copyright infringement.
- If a recognizable person or talent of an individual (e.g., an astronaut or a known personality engaged to narrate a film) appears in NASA imagery material, use for commercial purposes may infringe a right of privacy or publicity. Therefore, permission should be obtained from the recognizable person or individual if the proposed use of the NASA material could be viewed as a commercial use. However, if the intended use of such material is primarily for educational or informational purposes (e.g., books, newspapers, and magazines reporting facts of historical significance), then such uses will generally not be considered an infringement of such personal rights.
- Some NASA imagery material may incorporate music or video footage, which is copyrighted and licensed for the particular NASA work. Any editing or otherwise altering of the work may not be covered under the original license, and therefore would require permission of the copyright owner.
- NASA imagery material may include visible NASA identifiers (e.g., the NASA Insignia or Logotype and the name of the vehicle in photographs or film footage of Space Shuttle vehicles). Use of such materials is generally non-objectionable, provided the NASA identifiers appear in their factual context. Other uses of the NASA Insignia, Seal, Logotype, or Program Identifiers require approval under 14 C.F.R. Part 1221. Use of the NASA name and initials is protected under 42 U.S.C. 2459b.