Photo Archives Policies

The Field Museum Library Photo Archives provides digital reproductions of images from its collection for personal or research use only. All other uses, including but not limited to: commercial or scholarly publication, exhibition, online/web site, broadcast/film, home video, and promotional use without prior written permission of the Library Photo Archives is strictly prohibited. Granting or withholding of permission is determined by the Photo Archives on a case-by-case basis. Written (e-mail) permission is required and use fees will be assessed. Using a reproduction of an image from the Photo Archives collections without official written permission is illegal.

The Field Museum’s Library Photo Archives is dependent on revenue generated from fees associated with providing images and permissions. Fees for images and permissions make possible the continued growth of the Photo Archives' collections and help to offset the costs of preservation and maintenance of both analog photographic materials such as black and white film and color slides and digital images' database cataloging and storage.

The Permission Fees

For permission requests to use material for other than personal or research purposes you must complete and submit the Contact Photo Archives form. Once received and assuming fees are involved, you will be sent an invoice for the digital images and/or permissions.

Fees are charged for the non-exclusive use of material.
Any subsequent use or reuse must be applied for in writing. Re-use of images in reprints or in new editions of the same publication are usually charged a discounted fee.
Use or permissions fees are in addition to the fees charged for images.

Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified by law, libraries, and archives are authorized to furnish reproductions of copyrighted works. One specified condition is that the reproduction is not to be “utilized for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” the user may be liable for infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. The granting of permission to publish by Field Museum does not absolve users of materials from securing permission from copyright owners and payment of such additional fees as the owners may require if Field Museum does not own the copyright or if the material is not in the public domain. Applicants assume all responsibility for questions of copyright, right of publicity, and invasion of privacy that may arise in copying and in the use made of the reproduction.