AI, stock content and copyright

AI image and video generation creates content using powerful models trained on pre-existing data. Copyright laws around AI-generated content are still evolving globally, and regulations vary by country. This article explains how copyright applies to content you generate with Freepik AI tools, to the stock content, and what your responsibilities are.

In this article

Ownership of AI-generated content

AI-generated images and videos created with Freepik tools can be used for personal and professional purposes. However, since the output is generated by AI, copyright status is subject to ongoing legal developments worldwide. Freepik cannot guarantee copyright ownership of AI-generated output in all jurisdictions.

The Terms and Conditions for AI Products state that you are responsible for ensuring that your AI-generated output does not infringe on third-party rights. If your AI-generated image is clear of such infringements, you can use them for personal and/or professional use.

Please note that these rules apply only to files generated by AI tools and not to stock images you can download from Freepik’s library. For those images, different rules apply.

Commercial use

Yes, you can use AI-generated images and videos commercially. AI-generated content can serve as a central element in your creative projects — there is no main vs secondary element restriction for AI-generated content like there is for stock resources.

Paid plans include a commercial license for AI-generated content. Free plans are limited to personal use with attribution.

Editing and modifying AI content

You can freely modify and edit AI-generated images. This includes cropping, filtering, color adjustments, combining with other images, restyling, upscaling, and any other editing you need. There are no restrictions on how you modify AI-generated output.

Your responsibilities

When using AI-generated content, you are responsible for:

• Ensuring the output does not infringe on third-party intellectual property rights.
• Ensuring the content does not include recognizable likenesses of real people without consent.
• Ensuring the content does not include copyrighted characters, artworks, or brand elements.
• Complying with the AI Generation Guidelines, which define what content can and cannot be generated.
• Verifying the legality of using AI-generated content in your specific jurisdiction and use case.

AI content vs stock content

AI-generated content and stock content follow different rules:

Legal protection for stock content

At Freepik we have implemented strict content selection procedures to be able to offer our users graphic resources that they can safely use for personal or commercial purposes.

Nonetheless, in the event that a Freepik user receives a claim, stating that Freepik content allegedly violates the rights of a third-party, Freepik agrees to indemnify the user for the damages suffered, up to the limits and under the conditions described below.

The information provided below is intended to address frequently asked questions with respect to the scheme. Please refer to the Terms of use for the specific terms.

Limits of indemnification

Depending on your status as a user, i.e. the product or service you had purchased at the time of first downloading the claimed content, different limits of indemnification will apply. The table below shows the limits applicable to each type of user:

Nevertheless, if at the time when the third-party makes the first representation, verbal or written, regarding the claimed Freepik Content, you have a valid higher subscription contracted, the limit of the higher subscription will apply.

Eligibility

To qualify for legal protection, you must meet all of the following conditions:

How to report a claim

If you receive a third-party claim (or threat of a claim) that may be covered by Freepik's legal protection:

Once we have reviewed this information, we will consider it and respond to you as soon as possible.

If you received a copyright claim and would like to notify us of the claim or check if you’re eligible for this coverage, please contact copyright@freepik.com following the procedure described above.

Legal protection and indemnification

AI-generated content is excluded from Freepik's standard legal protection for stock content. If a third party claims that your AI-generated output infringes on their rights, the standard indemnification does not apply.

Enterprise customers may have enhanced legal protection, including indemnification for AI-generated content, under their Master Services Agreement. Check your Enterprise contract or contact your account manager for details.

Copyright infringement

We take seriously any copyright violations done by any user. As indicated by our Terms of Use, the unauthorized distribution of our graphic resources is not allowed and may subject them to criminal and civil penalties. We will take legal action if all content is not removed immediately. Whenever we find someone committing copyright infringement we contact them if needed and inform about the legal consequences derived from the misuse of our resources.

• Have you found a website or a seller that doesn't comply with our usage rules?
• Have you found a file that infringes the copyright of your images?

Please contact us at copyright@freepik.com and send any possible evidences and we will investigate the issue and take the necessary actions.

Common questions

Can I use AI-generated images commercially?

Yes. Paid plans include a commercial license for AI-generated content. Free plans are limited to personal use.

Who owns AI-generated content?

Copyright status of AI-generated content is still evolving globally. You can use the content under Freepik's license terms, but full copyright ownership may not be guaranteed in all jurisdictions.

Can I edit AI-generated images?

Yes. You can modify AI-generated content in any way — crop, filter, combine, restyle, upscale, and more.

Are AI-generated images covered by legal protection?

No. AI-generated content is excluded from Freepik's standard legal protection for stock content. Enterprise customers may have specific protections under their MSA. You can check the applicable conditions in the AI Products Terms.

Do the same rules apply as for stock images?

No. AI-generated content has different rules — notably, there is no main vs secondary element restriction, and it is excluded from the Merchandise License and standard legal protection. See the comparison table above.