See Who a Photo Says It Belongs To
Photographers and stock agencies write the copyright notice, creator and licensor into the image file itself. Paste a link or upload a photo to read every rights field in its EXIF, IPTC and XMP data.
What it reads
Copyright notice
The rights statement from the IPTC Copyright Notice, XMP Rights or EXIF Copyright field.
Creator and credit line
The photographer (by-line) and the credit line an agency asks you to print next to the image.
Licensor and usage terms
Who licenses the image, where to license it, and any usage terms or web statement of rights.
Camera and file data
Capture date, camera details, image size and the rest of the EXIF data, when the file still carries it.
How to read the result
A notice names an owner, not a verdict
A copyright notice tells you who claims the image. It does not say whether you hold a license. Compare it with your own license records.
Missing metadata proves nothing
Many websites and social platforms strip metadata on upload. An empty result means the file carries no record, not that the image is free to use.
Keep the evidence
If you received a demand letter, save what the file says about its owner. It is part of the record your counsel will want to see.
Go further with a free account
These checks need an account so we can keep them fast and fair. Sign up free, then pay only for the images you check.
Full Copyright Risk Check
Finds where the image appears online, matches it against stock and enforcement sources, reads its rights metadata and scores the risk.
Create a free account to run itFree accountWhere This Image Appears Online
A reverse image search that lists the pages and sites that publish the same or a visually similar image.
Create a free account to run itFrequently asked questions
How do I find out who owns a photo?
Start with the image file. Photographers and stock agencies often embed a copyright notice, the creator's name, a credit line and the licensor in the file's IPTC and XMP metadata. This viewer reads those fields. If the file carries none, a reverse image search can show where else the photo appears and which agency or site published it first.
What is the difference between EXIF, IPTC and XMP?
EXIF is written by the camera and holds technical data such as the capture date, plus optional Artist and Copyright fields. IPTC and XMP are written by photographers, agencies and editing software and hold the rights fields: copyright notice, creator, credit line, source, licensor and usage terms. XMP is the modern format and IPTC the older one; many files carry both.
Does a copyright notice in the metadata mean I am infringing?
No. A notice tells you who claims the image. Properly licensed stock photos keep the photographer's notice. What matters is whether you hold a license for your use, so compare the notice with your purchase records.
Why does my image show no metadata?
Most social platforms, many content management systems and some image optimizers remove metadata when an image is uploaded or resized. Try the original file or the highest-resolution copy you can find. An empty result is not evidence that an image is free to use.
Do you store the images I check?
No. The image is downloaded or uploaded for the check, analyzed, and deleted right after. Nothing about the check is kept.
Results are automated signals to support your own review. They are not a legal opinion and do not establish whether an image is free of third-party rights. For decisions about copyright, trademark or publicity rights, consult qualified legal counsel.