"Stock photography" describes photographs or images that are made available for use by others, such as book publishers, websites, newspapers, magazines or advertisers. To use a stock photograph, a licensing fee is usually negotiated with the owner of the image (usually the photographer, or a "stock photo agency" that represents many photographers). When you pay a licensing fee, you are basically leasing certain rights to use the image. The license allows use of the image for an agreed upon length of time and in an agreed upon manner. Just like leasing a vehicle, when the license (lease) expires, all rights you had to the photo or image expire. The terms of the license are agreed upon prior to purchase and are usually set out in writing.