copyright intellectual-property licensing switzerland
Does creating an unpaid event poster for a commercial event constitute commercial use?
<p>Licenses of artworks or stock photos often state that they are free for non-commercial use.</p>

<p>Assume I create a poster for an event. I do not sell the poster, but the event is commercial (has an entry fee. or sells drinks. or something like that). Am I then allowed to use that stock photo?</p>

<p>For example, <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo-license/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pexels</a> states</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>All photos on Pexels can be used for free for commercial and
  noncommercial use.<br>
  Attribution is not required.<br>
  Giving credit to the
  photographer or Pexels is not necessary but always appreciated.<br>
  You
  can modify the photos. Be creative and edit the photos as you like.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I am interested in an internationally accepted answer, if there is one. Otherwise, I am interested in US, European Union, and Swiss law.</p>

<p>Related questions, but without any sources (and so seem like the answers could just as well be somebody's opinion):  </p>

<ul>
<li><p><a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/21550/do-portfolio-projects-count-as-commercial-use">Do Portfolio Projects Count As Commercial Use</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/82544/the-scope-of-free-for-personal-use-in-fonts">The Scope Of Free-For-Personal-Use Fonts</a></p></li>
</ul>

<p><em>Commercial</em> means related to commerce and <em>commerce</em> means the activity of buying and selling. Advertising material for a commercial event is itself commercial. If the licence restriction is for non-commercial use only then you are outside the licence. However, the licence you quote allows both.</p>
