Scenario
Last updated on
Jun 11, 2026
Learn about the types of content and scenarios that require Contributors to submit property releases.
The table includes some scenarios that may or may not require a property release:
|
|
Property release required |
|---|---|
|
A private home is clearly visible in a frame. |
Yes |
|
Artwork in a gallery or a street mural. |
Yes |
|
A recognizable product or design. |
Yes |
|
A public landscape or beach with no private elements. |
No |
|
A generic building with no distinct or branded features. |
No |
|
National monuments or buildings in the public domain. |
Depends. Learn more. |
Tip
When in doubt, get a release or consider editing your image or omitting protected elements. Contributors can also refer to our known restrictions for a comprehensive list of properties not acceptable in submitted content.
Content that requires property releases
Property releases define how different elements within your content are evaluated for permission requirements. Reviewing these considerations helps determine whether additional documentation is needed based on what is visible, identifiable, or emphasized in the submission.
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Type of content |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Objects |
If your content includes a logo or trademark, it must be removed. However, you may not need a release if the objects lack identifiable features and are not the main focal point. Always refer to our known restrictions list when in doubt. |
|
Art and artifacts |
For works of art and artifacts, like those you’d find in a museum, you need permission from the artist or estate. If you capture content in a museum or gallery, you need to follow the museum or gallery's usage restrictions. Modern artwork, including murals and sculptures in public spaces, must be accompanied by a property release. If you’re submitting content featuring your own artwork, you still need to include a signed property release. |
|
Graffiti and street art |
Graffiti and street art are often subject to copyright. The only cases where you might not need a release are when:
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|
Tattoos |
Tattoos are considered works of art, so you need to consider how prominently the tattoo is displayed, as well as its content. You don’t need a property release if the tattoo isn’t the focal point of the submission, but you do need a property release in these cases:
A person is identifiable by their tattoos, so any submission of a person with tattoos requires a model release, even if the person’s face isn’t in the image. If the tattoo artist can be identified from the context of their art, you may also need a release from them. In this case, you’ll need a property release and a model release from both the artist and the person with the tattoo. |
|
Protected product designs |
Product designs are protected by various intellectual property laws. They may include trademarks such as logos, words, and symbols, as well as design elements such as shapes, colors, and other identifiable characteristics. In most cases, you don’t need a property release for products if you remove any recognizable elements, like logos on shirts and shoes. However, some products are universally recognizable even without logos, so they cannot be accepted. For example, but not limited to:
Refer to the known restrictions list for more examples. |
|
Currency |
Every country has its own rules around depicting currency. If more than 75% of the banknotes are visible in the image, the content will be refused. |
|
Animals |
Submissions of animals and pets don’t typically need property releases, but you’d need a property release for a famous animal like Grumpy Cat, Doug the Pug, Tyson the skateboarding bulldog, or Jiffpom. You also need property releases for zoo animals. |
Next steps
Behind every submission is a collaboration between Adobe Stock and our Contributors. Taking the time to follow these steps and ensure accurate property release submissions protects your content and the integrity of our collection.
By accurately submitting property releases, you help us build a collection that’s both respectful of the subject and the owner of the property depicted in the content. We can’t wait to see what you submit next.
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