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Rights Managed vs Royalty Free

Currently stock photography has two 2 business models: "Royalty Free" and "Rights Managed."

Royalty Free is imagery that is licensed once for multiple uses. It is generally cheaper than a "Rights Managed" image. Under the "Royalty Free" model individual picture history cannot be provided - records are not kept. Knowing a picture's usage history can sometimes be important - has your competitor just used the same or similar picture? It happens:

• Dangers of Royalty Free - Example #1 - Royalty Free Users Pay a Price
• Dangers of Royalty Free - Example #2 - Back-to-School with Royalty Free
• Dangers of Royalty Free - Example #3 - Feminine Hygiene Girl Becomes Cover of Design Book

Rights Managed work is imagery that is licensed for specific and finite uses. It generally offers the licensee more control over the picture's past and possible future usage.