Foundation
a visual register covering originals, authors, sources, dates, and responsible owners
Practical guide by MOTA Media Group
Image rights: trace every visual back to its source
Before publication, identify the author or source of every image, the actual basis for use, its restrictions, and its connection to the final layout. Photographs, illustrations, frames, graphics, generated images, and adaptations all need traceable provenance.
Who this is for
For producers, editors, designers, brand teams, and content owners assembling visual material from employees, contractors, libraries, clients, AI tools, or existing archives.
How we work
Build a register of internal and external images, link each file to its author, source, date, responsible owner, and supporting document, then compare the intended platforms, advertising use, edits, duration, territory, and reuse with the actual terms. Track people, works, packaging, brands, and private spaces inside the frame, and preserve provenance through crops and retouching.
What you receive
The final configuration follows the approved brief, channels, source materials, schedule, and rights framework.
Production
a linked archive of source files, agreements, licences, consents, and acquisition evidence
Delivery
an adaptation map tracing crops, retouching, collages, and exports to their originals
Launch
a separate list of people, objects, marks, works, and ambiguous cases requiring review
Typical projects
Use these examples as a starting point. A producer will confirm the actual production route after reviewing the brief.
auditing mixed visual assets before a campaign or website release
Scope, inputs, timeline, approvals, and usage rights are confirmed for the actual project.
preserving provenance while a photograph is cropped, retouched, or used in a collage
Scope, inputs, timeline, approvals, and usage rights are confirmed for the actual project.
preparing a file-and-document package for specialist legal review
Scope, inputs, timeline, approvals, and usage rights are confirmed for the actual project.
Scope and limitations. This is reference and production guidance, not a legal guarantee. Crediting an author does not by itself grant every use, buying a library image does not clear everything depicted inside it, and generation or retouching does not automatically remove legal questions. Ambiguous cases require qualified legal review for the intended use.
Related pathways
Move from the current task to production, evidence, estimation, or project launch without losing context.
Image rights: trace every visual back to its source
Content with a clear purpose
Inputs
Start with an audience and one outcome: explain, demonstrate, support a choice or prepare an enquiry. Collect facts, source assets and constraints, and name the person who checks them. Annotate references with the technique you want and the reason for it.
Working review
Separate the master content from platform adaptations. Check format, duration, mobile readability, sound, subtitles and safe areas. Agree versions, timing and review rounds before production.
Handoff
Before handoff, verify facts, contacts, links, filenames and asset permissions. Give every version a clear purpose and approval status. Publication, paid placement and account access are agreed separately from content production.