Wikipedia:Using JPL images
NASA is a part of the United States Federal Government, and most images published by NASA (unless noted otherwise) are in the public domain[1]:
NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted.
While most images produced by NASA (unless noted otherwise) are in the public domain works produced by NASA contractors are not automatically in the public domain.
According to JPL Website, "the Jet Propulsion Lab is a NASA field center managed by the California Institute of Technology." However, "unlike other NASA centers, which are staffed by government civil servants, JPL is managed for NASA by Caltech under a contractual arrangement begun in 1958 and renewed every five years. Thus, JPLers are Caltech employees."[2]
JPL grants the right to use the images published on the JPL Web Site, under condition that the JPL Image Policy is followed:[3]
By electing to download the material from this web site the user agrees:
1. that Caltech makes no representations or warranties with respect to ownership of copyrights in the images, and does not represent others who may claim to be authors or owners of copyright of any of the images, and makes no warranties as to the quality of the images. Caltech shall not be responsible for any loss or expenses resulting from the use of the images, and you release and hold Caltech harmless from all liability arising from such use.
2. to use a credit line in connection with images. Unless otherwise noted in the caption information for an image, the credit line should be "Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech."
3. that the endorsement of any product or service by Caltech, JPL or NASA must not be claimed or implied.
Image Notes on Commons[edit]
All images found on the JPL web site should be uploaded to Commons contain the following Commons-template in their notes section, to remind others to caption:
{{JPL Image Copyright}}
Example: MER artist's conception.
Image Caption[edit]
When a JPL image is used, the image caption should include a JPL credit line.
One way to do this is to include (Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech), as in the following example.
Example code:
[[File:Spirit Rover Model.jpg|thumb|200px|Artist's illustration of the [[MER]]. (Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech) ]]
This will be displayed as follows:
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