What would be considered appropriate if a designer wants to repurpose a digital photograph from a public domain but change the colour scheme to match their style?
No credit is necessary; the image can be used freely.
The original source must be credited even if the image is in the public domain.
If the modifications are sufficient for the original work not to be identifiable, then the original source does not need to be credited.
The original work should only be credited in the final artwork.
1 answer
The appropriate response would typically be:
No credit is necessary; the image can be used freely.
Since the image is in the public domain, it means that it is free to use without the need for attribution. However, it’s always good practice to credit the original source, even for public domain works, as a courtesy and to acknowledge the creator. But legally, credit is not required.
