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Copyright Policy

Unless otherwise noted, information on the National Eye Institute website is in the public domain. Public domain information may be freely distributed and copied, but, as a courtesy, we request that the National Eye Institute be given an appropriate acknowledgement: “Courtesy: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH).”

When using the NEI website, you may encounter documents, illustrations, photographs or other information that has been licensed by private individuals, companies or organizations that may be protected by United States and foreign copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of these protected items requires the written permission of the copyright owners. For information about the copyright owners of a given graphic, photo or illustration on the NEI website; how they can be contacted; and what, if any, use those owners allow of their material; please provide the URL and file name to the NEI Website Manager.

Specific guidelines

Text

Most text appearing on NEI web pages was prepared by employees of the United States Government and therefore is not subject to copyright. The same is true of most publications available for downloading from this website. You may freely copy that material. Please use the following credit: “Courtesy: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH).”

Occasionally, the NEI site may contain documents or links to documents, such as full-text journal articles, that are copyright-protected. Web users may view and print these documents but should contact the copyright owner for any other uses.

Graphics, photos, and illustrations

The NEI Media Library is provided as a source of free audiovisuals. Permission is granted to use these items for educational, news media or research purposes, provided the source for each image is credited. The NEI Photos and Images catalog may not be used to promote or endorse commercial products or services. Use by non-profit organizations in connection with fundraising or product sales is considered commercial use.

Permission to use NEI website graphics found any place other than the NEI Photos and Images catalog is granted on a case-by-case basis. Some are in the public domain, some are copyrighted and some are used by NEI with specific permission granted by the owner. Therefore, these graphics should not be reused without permission.

For information about the copyright holders of a given logo, photo or illustration on the NEI website; how the owners can be contacted; and what, if any, use those owners allow of their material; please contact the NEI Website Manager and provide the URL, file name, and intended use.

Granting the right to use a graphic from the website does not explicitly or implicitly convey NEI’s endorsement of the site where it is used.

Use of NEI logos

NEI logos and logos associated with the National Eye Health Education Program may not be used without specific written permission by the NEI Office of Science Communications, Public Liaison, and Education. For assistance, please email 2020@nei.nih.gov or call 301-496-5248.

Researchers may use the NEI logo online or in print to acknowledge NEI funding.

Contractors may not use the NEI logo on documents that are consulting deliverables or proposals intended for NEI use.

The NEI logo should not be combined with other elements to create a new logo for an office or program.

Last updated: May 27, 2022