In the past two days, the copyright issue of black hole photos has aroused public concern, and Vision China has started to close its website for rectification. So who owns the copyright of black hole photos? This kind of photos belongs to all mankind and can be used by anyone.
On the morning of April 12, a reporter from Nandu called the headquarters of the European Southern Observatory in Germany in response to the storm of black hole photography in China. The staff made a clear response: "black hole pictures are open to all mankind. We welcome to use them.".
On the evening of April 9, Beijing time, the first photo of human black hole came out, and this photo also instantly swiped the screen on the Internet. However, shortly after the European Southern Observatory (ESO) released the image, visual China listed the image as a copyright image, saying that commercial use needed to pay for it, causing heated discussion among netizens.
Visual China listed the image as a copyright image, saying 'this image is an edited image. If it is used for commercial purposes, please call 400-818-2525 or consult a customer service representative'.
Image source: ESO
In the Vision China website, the image was previously clearly listed as an 'copyright' edited image, saying that 'when editing this image, if it is used for commercial purposes, please call 400-818-2525 or consult the customer service representative'. On the afternoon of April 11, Vision China's official microblog issued a statement, stressing once again that vision China obtained the copyright of the image and could not use it for commercial purposes without permission. Several media contacted customer service, and the staff made it clear that the image was authorized from the European Southern Observatory (ESO).
A reporter from Nandu inquired about the website of the European Southern Observatory, which explained the use of the black hole image when it was released, saying: 'all media are welcome to use and release the black hole image. '
According to the copyright regulations of the European Southern Observatory, images, videos and music, as well as texts of press releases, announcements, blog posts and headlines published on the ESO website are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 international license.
'if any unit or individual wants to use our materials without paying, it must provide all users with a complete image and source in a clear and readable way, and the wording of the source cannot be changed, for example:' ESO / Jos & eacute; Francisco（ josefrancisco.org )。 The source should not be hidden or not associated with the picture, and the content with a link must be accessible. '
Except for media use, press releases, announcements, weekly photo selections and annotations shall be signed by ESO; ESO materials, images and videos shall not be used to declare or imply endorsement of the product or service by ESO or any ESO employee; if the image includes an identifiable person, the image will not be allowed to be used for commercial purposes. '
On the morning of April 12, a reporter from Nandu called the headquarters of the European Southern Observatory in Germany, and the staff responded, "the black hole image is open to all mankind, and we welcome it.".
Before that, some media also consulted the European Southern Observatory about the copyright of Vision China, and got a detailed reply, saying, "Vision China has not asked us for the license of black hole pictures. However, considering the copyright conditions of ESO images, as long as the source is specified, visual China can use these images without authorization. In other words, visual China does not need to ask for authorization at all. '
Visual China regards the so-called "authorization" as that it can sell the copyright of this picture in China and make profits from it, which is illegal. Visual China used this black hole image without prior notice, but this does not mean that the copyright is transferred. Visual China, or any other company, can use this picture, and they can even use it for commercial purposes as long as the source of the picture is clearly stated. 'however, because the copyright of this image does not belong to them, they cannot sell the copyright of this image. '