Shopify questionAnswer4 min read
Can I Use My Supplier's Product Photos on My Website?
Supplier photos are protected by copyright, so you need permission to use them. Here is how to get it, when a dropshipping supplier can't give it and what Shopify does about copied images.
Key takeaways
- Product photos are protected by copyright from the moment they're taken. You need permission from whoever owns them to use them on your store.
- Many manufacturers and distributors give resellers that permission, often through a dealer agreement or a brand asset portal. Get it in writing.
- A dropshipping supplier's photos are riskier: the supplier may have copied them from a brand and can't give you rights they don't have.
- Shopify's terms say infringing content can be removed and a store can be terminated. Rights holders can report it directly to Shopify.
- Who it is for
- Resellers and dropshippers
- Time needed
- 5 minutes to read
- What you need
- Your supplier's contact details
You can use your supplier's product photos only if the supplier owns them, or has the right to license them, and gives you permission. Many manufacturers actively want resellers to use their official images, so the permission is often easy to get. Ask for it in writing, keep a copy, and don't assume a photo is free to use because it came with the product listing.
I build stores for resellers and brands, and checking where product images came from is part of my launch review. The rules below were checked on copyright.gov, gov.uk and Shopify's terms of service on 7 November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Why you need permission
The US Copyright Office says a work is under copyright protection "the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form". A product photo qualifies as soon as it's taken. Registration is voluntary, so a photo with no copyright notice and no registration is still protected. In the UK, gov.uk says copyright protection is automatic and stops others from using the work without permission.
Owning the product doesn't give you rights to the photo of it. The photo belongs to the photographer or the company that commissioned it, which is usually the manufacturer.
Can I use these manufacturer product images?
| Where the photo came from | Usually OK? | What to get |
|---|---|---|
| Brand's reseller portal or media kit | Yes, within its terms | The usage terms, saved |
| Your distributor or wholesaler | Often | Written permission |
| Dropshipping supplier listing | Uncertain | Proof they own the images |
| Another retailer's store | No | Their permission, rarely given |
| Google Images or social media | No | Permission from the owner |
How to get permission the right way
- Check your agreement first. Dealer and distribution agreements often include a clause on brand assets. If it's there, follow its rules on cropping, editing and where images can appear.
- Ask by email if it isn't. Name the products, where you'll use the images (your store, marketplaces, ads), and ask the supplier to confirm they own the images or are authorized to share them.
- Keep the reply. Store it with your product records. If a takedown request ever arrives, that email is your answer.
- Respect the limits. Some brands allow product shots but not lifestyle images, or ban edits and watermarks. Using images outside the permission is still infringement.
What Shopify does about copied images
Section 11 of Shopify's terms of service says Shopify expects merchants to respect others' intellectual property rights. Posting infringing content violates its Acceptable Use Policy, the content can be removed, and the store may be terminated at Shopify's discretion. Rights holders can report infringing content to Shopify through its reporting page, so a brand doesn't need to contact you first.
Why your own photos often sell better
Even with permission, manufacturer images have a downside: the same photos appear on every store selling the product, so nothing on your page stands out. Your own photos let you show scale, texture, packaging and the product in use, which answers the questions that stop people buying. My guide to designing a high-converting product page covers which images to add first, and building trust in a new store explains why original content matters for new brands.
A practical mix that works for many resellers: the manufacturer's clean packshot as the first image, then 2 to 4 of your own photos showing detail, scale and use.
By country
US: copyright is automatic and registration is voluntary, but the Copyright Office notes that registration is generally needed before suing over a US work, and may make the owner eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees.
UK: protection is automatic, with no application or fee. Permission is needed to use the work.
EU / Netherlands and Australia: treat photos as protected unless you have permission, and take local advice if you receive a claim. Shopify's terms apply to every store, wherever it's based.
What to do next
- List where every product image came from. Flag anything without a clear owner or permission.
- Email suppliers for written permission covering your store, marketplaces and ads.
- Replace flagged images with your own photos, starting with your best sellers.
- Add products properly from day one using my guide to adding products to Shopify the right way.
Free tools
Check your own store
Free, no sign-up. Each one runs a part of this guide for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use manufacturer product images without permission?
No. Photos are protected by copyright from the moment they're taken, even without a notice or registration. Many manufacturers give resellers permission readily, so ask and keep their written reply.
Is it legal to use AliExpress or dropshipping supplier photos?
Only if the supplier owns the images or is authorized to license them. Wholesale listing photos are often copied from the original brand, and permission from someone who doesn't own the rights doesn't protect you.
What happens if I use copyrighted photos on Shopify?
Shopify's terms say infringing content violates its Acceptable Use Policy, can be removed, and can lead to store termination at Shopify's discretion. Rights holders can report it directly to Shopify.
Can I edit a supplier's photo to make it my own?
Editing, cropping or adding a watermark doesn't remove the original owner's copyright. You still need permission, and some brands specifically forbid edits.
Do I need permission if I bought the product?
Yes. Buying the product gives you the right to resell it, not to copy the photographer's work. The photo's copyright stays with its owner.
Should I take my own product photos instead?
For your best sellers, yes. Your own photos make your page different from every other store selling the same item, and let you show detail, scale and use that a packshot can't.
Sources
- Copyright in General (FAQ), U.S. Copyright Office
- How copyright protects your work, GOV.UK
- Terms of Service, section 11: Intellectual Property Infringement, Shopify
Related services and work
I'm a Shopify developer and CRO specialist. I have built and improved Shopify stores since 2018, completed more than 1,000 projects, and hold a 4.96 average rating across 719 client reviews.
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