Can Midjourney Images Be Used Commercially?

• Yes, Midjourney paid users can use the artwork they create on the platform for commercial uses without having to pay additional fees or royalties.
• Non-paid users are limited to non-commercial uses and must obtain a commercial license or subscription if they want to use the artwork commercially.
• Midjourney images cannot be copyrighted, according to the US Copyright Office.

In today’s digital age, visual content is key to capturing an audience’s attention.

Images, in particular, have become a powerful tool for conveying messages, telling stories, and creating compelling visual experiences.

However, the use of images is not always straightforward, as there are often legal issues to consider, such as copyright protection.

Midjourney is an online platform that enables users to create unique and original images quickly and easily.

The platform is designed for a wide range of users, from graphic designers to content creators to social media marketers.

The question of copyright protection is one that often arises when using Midjourney.

In this article we will explore the basic copyright policies of Midjourney and what they mean for you.

Royalty-Free Images for Paid Users

One of the primary benefits of using Midjourney is that the images created using the platform are royalty-free for paid users.

This means that once a user pays for a Midjourney subscription, they can use the artwork created on the platform without worrying about additional fees or royalties.

This is a significant advantage for those who use images frequently in their work, as it can save them time and money.

The concept of royalty-free images is not unique to Midjourney.

Many stock photo sites offer similar licenses, which allow users to purchase and use images without having to pay additional fees or royalties.

Non-Commercial License for Non-Paid Users

While paid users can use Midjourney images without worrying about additional fees or royalties, non-paid users are subject to different copyright policies.

Non-paid users are granted a Creative Commons Noncommercial 4.0 license, which means that they can use the artwork created on Midjourney for non-commercial purposes only.

Non-commercial purposes include things like personal blogs, non-profit websites, or social media profiles.

If a non-paid user wants to use the artwork for commercial purposes, they will need to purchase a Midjourney subscription or obtain a commercial license from Midjourney.

Additionally, non-paid users must give visible attribution when using the artwork.

This means that they must credit Midjourney as the source of the artwork and provide a link back to the Midjourney website.

Perpetual Copyright License for Text and Image Prompts

In addition to the copyright policies for the artwork created on the platform, Midjourney’s terms of service state that users grant a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicensable no-charge, royalty-free, irrevocable copyright license to reproduce, prepare Derivative Works of, publicly display, publicly perform, sublicense, and distribute text and image prompts.

This means that Midjourney has the right to use any text or image prompts submitted by users for its own purposes.

For example, Midjourney may use these prompts to generate new artwork or to improve the functionality of the platform.

No Copyright Protection for Midjourney Images

Finally, the US Copyright Office has ruled that Midjourney images cannot be copyrighted, as they do not meet the legal requirements for copyright protection.

Under US copyright law, copyright protection is only granted to original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible medium of expression, and created by a human author.

This ruling has important implications for both creators and consumers of AI-generated content.

On the one hand, it means that AI-generated images are not subject to copyright law, and can be freely used and shared without permission from the creator.

On the other hand, it also means that creators of AI-generated content may not have the same legal protections as traditional artists, and may be vulnerable to infringement and exploitation.

The ruling highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding AI-generated content, and underscores the need for clear guidelines and regulations to govern the use and ownership of these emerging technologies.