Unspecified Media License

Why an asset becomes unspecified

Incomplete paperwork is the most common reason. Freelancers sometimes send files before signing a release or before clarifying whether the work may be translated, syndicated, or distributed on video. Rather than hold the story, we publish with the unspecified label and resolve the paperwork in parallel.

Conflicting attribution can trigger the label as well. If two organizations claim the same infographic or if a reader shares a photo that appears elsewhere, we pause redistribution while fact-checkers untangle the ownership trail. Marking the asset unspecified ensures no one cites it as public-domain evidence during that review.

Safety issues create a third path. A whistleblower may ask us to blur their face after publication or a location tag might expose a sensitive site. Until we finish the redactions, we keep the original file online for transparency but forbid additional sharing.

How to handle unspecified assets responsibly

Do not take screenshots, download files, or save copies to shared drives. Even private copies can leak, and you would be accountable for the unauthorized distribution. Bookmark the page instead and check back for updates.

If you need to cite the asset in research notes, describe it in words rather than copying the media. For example: “AI is Mid published a diagram outlining an audit process (currently under unspecified status).” This approach preserves the informational value without repeating the media.

Avoid including unspecified assets in AI training datasets, presentations, or internal mood boards. The restrictions apply inside companies just as much as they apply in public. Wait until the label changes or request written permission from legal@aiismid.com.

Requesting an update or exception

Newsroom partners racing against a deadline can email legal@aiismid.com with the asset URL, intended publication date, and the jurisdictions where the content will appear. We prioritize those requests and either accelerate clearance or offer substitute art.

Researchers and educators who require the visual for archival purposes should outline the project’s scope, security measures, and whether the archive is public. When possible we provide watermarked references, transcripts, or descriptive captions so your documentation remains accurate.

If you are the creator of an unspecified asset, send any missing documentation or corrected credit line. Once we confirm your instructions, we update the page—usually within two business days—and notify everyone who asked for a status change.

What happens after the review

When clearance is granted, we replace the unspecified badge with the applicable license link and restore the asset to our sitemap. That moment also unlocks reuse under the standard terms for AI-generated or editorial imagery, so you may resume sharing with the proper credit line.

If clearance is denied, we remove the asset and add a note such as “Image removed at rights holder’s request.” In some cases we replace it with a redacted or AI-rendered alternative that communicates the same information without violating the rights holder’s wishes.

We maintain a changelog of unspecified assets for accountability. If you need proof of when a piece entered or left this status, email us and we will share the timestamps for your audit trail.

Maintaining an audit trail

Every unspecified asset receives a unique identifier in our internal rights tracker. When you email us, reference that identifier if possible. It helps us link your request to the correct file without combing through dozens of similarly named images. The tracker records who accessed the asset, when the status changed, and which staff member approved the final license.

If you are a newsroom that mirrors our article via RSS, note the status in your CMS. Many partners create a custom field labeled “AI is Mid license” and store the current state there. That simple metadata entry makes it easier to purge or restore assets later. Automation beats guesswork every time we send an update.

We encourage educators to keep a simple spreadsheet documenting unspecified assets they reference in lesson plans. Include the lesson title, the date you accessed the asset, and whether you have since replaced it with a cleared alternative. Sharing that log with students models responsible media literacy.

Examples of resolved cases

Case Study 1: A reader submitted aerial footage of a wildfire. We labeled it unspecified until the aviation authority confirmed that the drone flight complied with safety rules. Once clearance arrived, we released the footage under the editorial-use license and emailed everyone who asked about it. That process took four days.

Case Study 2: An agency-provided infographic contained logos from a sponsor we do not endorse. We kept the graphic unspecified while the designer redacted the logos. After the revision, we reissued the asset under the AI-generated license because significant portions were machine rendered. The delay prevented confusion about implied sponsorship.

Case Study 3: A whistleblower requested additional anonymity after publication. We blurred their face, updated the caption, and replaced the original photo. The unspecified status lasted 48 hours. Anyone who referenced the earlier image received an email with the new version and instructions to delete the original download.

FAQ