Image usage and rights.
How photoQUEST photographs may be used, for personal and commercial purposes. Last updated October 2026.
Copyright
All photographs on this website and in the photoQUEST galleries are protected by copyright under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Copyright is owned by photoQUEST unless we have agreed otherwise in writing. Buying a download or a print, or commissioning coverage, gives you a licence to use the images. It does not transfer the copyright.
photoQUEST asserts the right to be identified as the author of its photographs, under sections 77 and 78 of the Act.
Trade mark
photoQUEST® is a registered UK trade mark (No. UK00004311276). Neither the photoQUEST name nor the photoQUEST logo may be used without written permission, including in any way that suggests a connection with, or endorsement by, photoQUEST. Crediting an image as “Photo: photoQUEST” under a licence is permitted.
Personal use
Where a gallery offers downloads, buying one gives the purchaser a personal, non-commercial licence. You may:
- keep the image and print it for your own home or display
- share it on your own personal social media, credited “Photo: photoQUEST” and tagged @photoquest_uk where the platform allows
- use it as a profile or cover picture
You may not, without a commercial licence:
- sell, sublicense or give the image to anyone else to use
- use it to promote a business, product, sponsor, team or event, including sponsored or paid-for social media posts
- use it on merchandise, in advertising or in printed publications
- remove or obscure the credit, watermark or embedded caption and copyright details, or alter the image beyond simple cropping for social media
Commercial use
Any use that promotes or earns money for a business, team, sponsor, organiser or individual needs a written licence from photoQUEST before the image is used. This includes websites, social media for teams and sponsors, press releases, advertising, sponsor activations, programmes, brochures and merchandise.
Each licence states the images, the uses and media covered, the period and the territory, and whether it is exclusive. It takes effect when the licence fee has been paid. Fees depend on the use and are quoted on request.
Editorial use
Newspapers, magazines, websites and other media need a licence to publish photoQUEST images, with the credit “photoQUEST” next to each image. Under section 30(2) of the Act, the fair dealing exception for reporting current events doesn't apply to photographs, so news use is not exempt.
Commissioned work
For commissioned coverage, photoQUEST keeps the copyright unless the written agreement says otherwise. The client receives the licence set out in the quote, normally covering the agreed uses for the client and named partners or sponsors.
Restricted events
Images from some events, including BSB, are commercially restricted. Send an image enquiry with the gallery name and image reference.
People, logos and other rights
A photoQUEST licence covers photoQUEST's copyright only. For commercial use, the licensee is responsible for any other permissions needed, for example from riders, teams, sponsors, event organisers or the owners of logos and trade marks shown in the image.
AI and data mining
photoQUEST images may not be used to train, test or develop artificial intelligence or machine-learning systems, or for automated text and data mining, without our written permission.
Unauthorised use
If we find an image used without a licence, we will ask for it to be removed or for a licence fee to be paid. If you're unsure whether your use is covered, ask first.
Licensing enquiries
For a commercial or editorial licence, use the contact form or email ian@photoquest.uk with the image reference, the intended use and the dates.
This page summarises how photoQUEST images may be used. The terms of a specific quote or licence take precedence. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.