Use the exact file. Keep the provenance.
MNI treats image rights at the level of the specific file and source route, not as a blanket claim about an entire photographer's work.
GREEN
A specific image file has a sufficiently clear reuse basis for the working public archive. MNI preserves its provenance and any source conditions.
BLUE
A reusable route exists, but attribution, license links, integrity conditions, or share-alike terms must be preserved exactly where applicable.
Public-domain works
When a work is treated as public domain through a documented source, MNI retains useful creator and institutional credits even when attribution is not strictly required. A public-domain conclusion for one file does not automatically apply to every scan or photograph by the same creator.
Creative Commons works
MNI preserves the named creator, the applicable Creative Commons license, and required attribution language. When a license includes share-alike conditions, MNI avoids unnecessary image modifications and keeps the original file source attached to the record.
Open-access museums and archives
Museum or archive open-access terms are recorded as they are stated by the source. MNI does not upgrade a limited or no-known-restrictions statement into a stronger claim such as CC0 unless the institution actually provides that status.
Source links and integrity
Every photograph record includes an original source link whenever one is available. Historical images are not aggressively cropped or materially altered simply to make the archive visually uniform.
Corrections and rights inquiries
If you represent a photographer, sitter, estate, archive, or institution and believe a credit, rights statement, identification, or source record should be corrected, contact MNI at contact@YOUR-DOMAIN.example. The address is a launch placeholder and must be replaced with the final contact address before publication.