Restrictions on the use of royalty free images vary in the details, but overall the following uses are standard restrictions:

• Large distributions or print runs (numbers differ from stock photo company to stock photo company). An extended license is usually required for large use.
• Cannot be resold or redistributed as is, or as used in a design theme, wallpaper, etc. intended for resale
• Cannot be shared with other users or placed on a network, intranet, or drive with shared access
• Cannot be used on print-on-demand products (t-shirts, mugs, calendars, mouse pads, etc.)
• Cannot be sold as prints, posters, or used on greeting cards
• Photos with people/models cannot be used in a way that depicts them as endorsing a product or business, or in a way that may be considered offensive
• Cannot be used as part of a trademark, design-mark, or logo
• Cannot be used for illegal, pornographic, malicious, or defamatory uses
• When used for Editorial purposes, the stock photo supplier and artist/photographer must be credited
• Cannot be used in unsolicited email marketing campaigns (ie, Spam)
• Cannot post the image to be downloaded or accessed separately from its intended application
• Other limits are defined by individual stock photo companies

There are often many usage restrictions for royalty free images, but they are in place to protect the rights of the image copyright holder. Be sure to read the Terms of Use for any royalty free image you wish to purchase.

It is also important to know that copyright is NOT transferred with a royalty free license. The copyright remains with the artist or photographer who initially created the image.

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