Who owns the copyright to photos taken by space telescopes?

Five stunning images by the James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful telescope ever launched into space, were recently released. The photos spread all over the Internet, but two questions arise:

Can I use these photos?

Does copyright protect cosmic photos?

A telescope is the same tool as a camera. On the other side of the camera (or telescope) there is always a person who is the creator of the picture.

 

The James Webb Space Telescope is equipped with a NIRCam near-infrared camera. Standard photo is the equivalent of basic digital photography and involves photographing various objects and materials in space that emit or reflect infrared light.

All space images are processed by humans. For example, the image of the Carina Nebula (used on the blog`s main page) is a composite of individual exposures. Color is the result of assigning different shades to each monochromatic image. This is really creative work, because the task is to convey in colors all those gas clusters and the depths of galaxies, which the human eye is unable to see.

In addition to the telescopes themselves, a whole bunch of organizations, in which a huge number of people work, are responsible for creating space images.

Therefore, it is precisely such organizations that own the copyright to space images.

Operates the Webb telescope STScI (Space Telescope Science Institute) together with partners:

• NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• ESA – European Space Agency
• CSA – Canadian Space Agency

The websites of these organizations always have a policy of images use. The Webb website policy of images use states:

Unless otherwise specifically stated, no claim to copyright is being asserted by STScI and material on this site may be freely used as in the public domain in accordance with NASA’s contract. However, it is requested that in any subsequent use of this work NASA and STScI be given appropriate acknowledgement.

So, can I make space prints on leggings, you ask?

Yes, you can make leggings, it’s simple. You can even create your own artwork and designs based on space images.

However, it is requested that in any subsequent use of this work NASA and STScI be given appropriate acknowledgement.

And if you’ve created your own work based on space images, NASA asks you to send them that copy of that creation. But it’s not required.

By the way, NASA allows, with prior consent, to even use its trademarks. They are available for freely download. I talked about this on my Instagram.

Answering the question “IS THAT EVEN LEGAL?

Yes, it is!

I personally have sent a message to NASA about my intention to use the image, in response to which they sent me message of thanks, for the notification and confirmed their permission to use it.