Manage Picture Credits in TYPO3: The Picture Credits Extension
Legally compliant management and automated output of image licenses directly in the TYPO3 file system
The problem: Different image sources in the CMS are a legal risk
As a rule, photos and graphics from heterogeneous sources with different usage licenses are used on a website. Some stock photo providers insist on very specific license information, and even some free image sources require mandatory references to authors or license sources.
Until now, the responsibility for legally compliant image credits lay solely with the editors who use and publish images from a media pool in content management. In doing so, the editor often lacks detailed knowledge about the image source and the licensing conditions. A central media asset management system in the company that documents the acquisition of licenses may not be accessible to all editors.
Since creators and license users already automatically search the Internet for incorrect use of their assets, warnings or recourse claims for missing or incorrect image credits are not unlikely.
To make the administration and output of picture credits easier and safer for editors, we have developed the TYPO3 extension "Picture Credits".
Central image management under TYPO3 with "Picture Credits"
The extension enables central recording of the mandatory and optional information on image licenses directly on the original image in the file directory (FAL).
At the same time, the editors are relieved by the automatic output of the image credits in the correct format directly in the page with the image inclusion.
Features of the extension "Picture Credits"
Picture Credits is available as open source and can be used with TYPO3 version 11 or higher (PHP 8).
The field “Name of further publisher/agency” is marked orange. It only needs to be filled in if this information applies to the image in question.
Capturing and managing image rights in the editor backend
- Easy entry of relevant information directly on the original image in the FAL in a separate metadata tab
- Easy vendor or license selection via drop-down field
- 15 preconfigured backend forms for the most common image licenses and vendors
- Pre-filling possible via definition of generally valid default values
- Easy setup of individual backend forms for project-specific licenses
- Localization and translation of variable properties, such as image title or license name
- The default template covers most possible license specifications (e.g. also attribution, collection name, etc.)
Rendering of picture credits in the frontend
- Automatic rendering of correctly formatted image credits on all standard frontend pages
- Control of rendering via frontend plugin or via Fluid Templates at any position in the page template
- Individual design of output possible via Fluid Templates and CSS
- Picture credits are rendered in the language that matches the page language
Link list TYPO3 extension "Picture Credits"
- Picture Credits – official documentation at TYPO3
- Picture Credits – source code repository at GitHub
- Picture Credits – package at Packagist
- Picture Credits – extension download from the TYPO3 Extension Repository (TER)
Contribute and suggest features
The extension is under active development. Anyone who wants to suggest new features or contribute to the project will find all open topics in the issue tracker on GitHub.
[Translate to English:] Warum wir das gebaut haben
[Translate to English:] Die Idee zur Extension entstand nicht am Reißbrett, sondern aus einem konkreten Problem im eigenen Betrieb. Unsere Tochtergesellschaft Marketing Factory Digital GmbH betrieb über zwei Jahrzehnte das DIY-Portal heimwerker.de, eines der reichweitenstärksten deutschen Online-Portale seiner Art. Mit wachsendem Bildbestand und einem breiten Mix aus Eigenproduktionen, Kooperationsbildern und lizenzierten Stockfotos wurde die manuelle Pflege von Bildnachweisen zunehmend unhandlich und fehleranfällig.
Wir haben die Lösung für uns selbst gebaut, sie im eigenen Betrieb erprobt und schließlich als Open-Source-Extension für alle TYPO3-Projekte veröffentlicht. Das bedeutet: Picture Credits kommt aus der Praxis und wird dort täglich eingesetzt.
Optimising editorial workflows in TYPO3
Legally compliant picture credits are one building block of efficient editorial work, but only one of many. Well-designed workflows in the TYPO3 backend reduce the burden on editors, minimise errors, and ensure that content is published consistently and safely.
We advise and support TYPO3 projects in optimising editorial processes: from analysing existing workflows to implementing the right solutions. Get in touch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the TYPO3 extension Picture Credits do?
Picture Credits enables the central management of image license information directly on the original file in the TYPO3 file system (FAL). Picture credits are automatically output in the correct format on the frontend, without editors having to intervene manually every time an image is used. By the way: this website uses Picture Credits itself.
Which TYPO3 versions are supported?
Picture Credits supports TYPO3 version 11 and above and requires PHP 8. It is available in the official TYPO3 Extension Repository (TER) and can be installed via Packagist using composer require mfc/picturecredits.
Is Picture Credits free to use?
Yes. The extension is open source and free of charge. For project-specific customisations or integration into existing workflows, we are happy to provide advice and support.
Where is the extension already in use?
Picture Credits grew out of running our own DIY portal heimwerker.de and has been used in production across TYPO3 projects of various sizes for many years.
Why are correct picture credits a legal requirement?
Rights holders and licensing agencies use automated tools to scan the web for incorrect or missing attribution. Missing or incomplete picture credits can result in cease-and-desist letters or claims for damages, regardless of whether the infringement was intentional. For more background, see Part 1 of our blog series: Picture rights management within your company.
What does a correct picture credit need to include?
It depends on the license type. Stock photo providers often require specific details about the photographer, source, and license. Creative Commons licenses require attribution, the license name, and a link to the license terms. Picture Credits ships with 15 pre-configured input templates for the most common providers and license types. Part 2 of our blog series gives a detailed overview: Rules for online picture credits.
Can a licensed image also be used on social media?
Not automatically. Many licenses cover use on your own website but exclude social media or require a separate license. This needs to be checked individually for each image. Part 5 of our blog series covers the edge cases: Memes, collages, screenshots and AI images.
What should we do if we receive a cease-and-desist letter?
In that case, the affected images must be fully and verifiably removed from the CMS, not just hidden. Part 4 of our blog series explains how to do this correctly: Remove images completely from the CMS after a warning letter.
How are picture credits displayed on the frontend?
Output is automatic on all standard frontend pages. It can be controlled via a frontend plugin or directly through Fluid templates at any point in the page template. The layout and format can be freely customised using Fluid templates and CSS.
Does the extension support multilingual websites?
Yes. Picture credits are output in the language matching the current page language. Variable properties such as image title or license name can be localised and translated.
Can I create custom license templates for project-specific requirements?
Yes. In addition to the 15 built-in templates for popular providers such as Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and Unsplash, custom templates for project-specific licenses can be set up easily.
Can default values for picture credits be pre-filled?
Yes. By defining universal default values, recurring information can be pre-filled automatically, significantly reducing the effort required from editors.
Do editors need to change how they work?
No. Data entry takes place directly on the original image in a dedicated metadata tab within the FAL module, exactly where editors already work. Output on the frontend is fully automatic.
How can I contribute to the development of the extension?
Picture Credits is an open source project. The source code is available on GitHub, and feature requests or bug reports can be submitted via the issue tracker. Pull requests are very welcome. For commercial support, feel free to contact us directly.