Rights and licensing
Content License & Usage Policy
This policy explains who owns material published by Universe Map, what you may do without written approval, when a license is required, and how to request permission for educational, editorial or commercial use.
Quick Permission Guide
Start here before downloading, copying or publishing Universe Map material. A link to a page is not the same as permission to reproduce the material displayed on that page.
Nothing in this policy limits rights available under applicable law, including fair use, fair dealing, quotation, criticism, review, news reporting or other statutory exceptions. Whether an exception applies depends on the facts and jurisdiction.
Ownership and Scope
Unless a page or asset states otherwise, original material published on UniverseMap.net is owned by Universe Map or used under a license that permits its appearance on this website. Protected material may include written articles, illustrations, diagrams, 3D scenes, animations, video, audio, interfaces, branding, code, downloadable files and original compilations or arrangements of information.
Facts, scientific ideas and public-domain information are not claimed as exclusive property. Copyright may still protect Universe Map's original wording, visual expression, selection, arrangement, annotation and presentation of those facts.
Third-party and public-domain material
Some pages may contain material credited to NASA, ESA, observatories, researchers, archives, photographers, licensors or other third parties. The credit, source notice and license attached to that specific material control its reuse. A Universe Map license does not transfer rights that Universe Map does not own.
License Options
Licenses are reviewed individually and may be free or paid depending on the material, audience, distribution, term, territory, exclusivity, modification needs and commercial context.
Classroom and nonprofit
For schools, universities, museums, libraries, researchers and nonprofit public outreach. Fees may be waived, but written approval and attribution may still be required.
News and publishing
For articles, books, magazines, documentaries, broadcasts and explanatory media where the material supports factual or editorial coverage.
Products and campaigns
For apps, games, paid courses, advertising, client projects, branded media, merchandise and other revenue-generating uses.
Exhibitions and technology
For installations, planetariums, large-format display, localization, API or data access, AI-related uses and projects requiring custom deliverables.
Standard License Conditions
Unless a signed agreement states otherwise, any permission issued by Universe Map is limited to the material, project, media, territory, audience and duration identified in the approval. Permission is non-exclusive, non-transferable and may not be sublicensed.
| Condition | What it means |
|---|---|
| Use-specific grant | Approval for one project does not authorize reuse in another project, edition, language, platform or campaign. |
| Attribution | Credit must remain visible, legible and reasonably close to the material, or in customary credits for video and broadcast use. |
| Modifications | Cropping, recoloring, animation, translation, annotation and other adaptations require approval unless the license expressly allows them. |
| No endorsement | Use must not imply that Universe Map endorses a person, product, organization, opinion or campaign. |
| Rights notices | Copyright notices, watermarks, credits, metadata and source information may not be removed or obscured. |
| Termination | Rights may end if the license expires or its material terms are breached. Any executed agreement controls where its terms differ from this page. |
Attribution Requirements
Use the exact credit supplied with your approval. If no project-specific line is provided, use the following format and link to the original content page whenever the medium supports links.
- Images and diagrams: place the credit in the caption or immediately adjacent to the work.
- Video and broadcast: include the credit on screen or in the end credits as agreed.
- Books and reports: place the credit with the figure and, where appropriate, in the acknowledgments or rights section.
- Digital products: make the credit readable and include a link to the original Universe Map page where technically possible.
Websites, Social Media and Embedding
You may share a normal link to any publicly accessible Universe Map page. Re-uploading an image or video, publishing a screenshot that substitutes for the original work, framing a page in a way that hides its source, or copying a substantial part of an article requires permission unless applicable law clearly allows the use.
Where Universe Map provides an official embed tool, that tool may be used in accordance with the instructions and any terms displayed with it. Hotlinking directly to media files is not permitted unless approved.
AI, Machine Learning and Data Use
No license is granted to scrape, collect or use protected Universe Map content for training, fine-tuning, grounding, retrieval corpora, benchmarking, model evaluation, computer vision, dataset creation or automated content generation. These uses require a separate written agreement.
This restriction does not prohibit ordinary indexing by search engines that respect published technical controls, or uses independently permitted by applicable law. Scientific facts that are not protected by copyright remain distinct from Universe Map's protected text, artwork, code and presentation.
Brand and Trademark Use
The Universe Map name, logo, visual identity and product identifiers may not be used as your brand, domain name, app identity, social account identity or source designation. A factual reference to Universe Map is permitted when it is accurate, necessary and does not imply endorsement. Logo use requires written approval.
What to Include in a Request
A complete request can be reviewed faster. Identify the exact asset and explain how, where and for how long it will be used.
- The URL of each page or asset you want to use.
- Your name, organization and contact details.
- The project type, audience, publication channels and expected reach.
- Whether the project is commercial, sponsored, monetized or sold.
- The territory, languages, duration and requested modifications.
- Your publication deadline and any technical format requirements.
Build a License Request
Complete the fields below to prepare a structured email. Submitting the email is a request for review and does not grant permission.
Copyright and Rights Concerns
If you believe material on UniverseMap.net infringes your copyright or another right, email [email protected] with the page URL, identification of the protected work, your contact information, a good-faith explanation of the concern and evidence of your authority to act. Universe Map may request additional information before taking action.
For suspected unauthorized use of Universe Map material elsewhere, include the third-party URL and a screenshot or other supporting information.
Policy Updates and Agreement Priority
Universe Map may update this policy as its services, content and licensing practices evolve. The effective date at the top identifies the current version. Changes apply prospectively unless applicable law or a separate agreement provides otherwise.
If a signed license agreement or written permission conflicts with this page, the specific agreement or permission controls for the approved use. Headings and summaries are provided for navigation; the complete text should be read together.
Licensing Contact
For licensing, attribution or rights questions, contact Universe Map and include the relevant content URL.