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Using Pictures From Google Images

by snowcloud
26 replies
I am concerned that there is something a little shady about taking random pictures from Google images and placing them on your site.

For instance, I am looking into creating my own ebook and I need a 60 day money back guarantee image to add to my sales page. There are some excellent pictures to be found in Google images. Could I get in trouble for using them?
#google #images #pictures
  • Profile picture of the author packerfan
    In short, yes, you can get in trouble. You'll be much better served using something like a stock photo service. Just because an image shows up in Google, doesn't mean it's royalty free and free for the taking. Copyright still applies.
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  • Profile picture of the author Winlin
    Originally Posted by snowcloud View Post

    I am concerned that there is something a little shady about taking random pictures from Google images and placing them on your site.

    For instance, I am looking into creating my own ebook and I need a 60 day money back guarantee image to add to my sales page. There are some excellent pictures to be found in Google images. Could I get in trouble for using them?
    You should be concerned. These pictures are not public domain property and fall under typical copyright laws. They are not free for reproduction.
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    • Profile picture of the author snowcloud
      I figured so. That is pretty lame. But, I mean what are the consequences... Worst case scenario the owner of the image contacts me and tells me to remove the image right? Its not like I'm going to keep it on my site after beng contacted like that.
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      • Profile picture of the author Winlin
        Originally Posted by snowcloud View Post

        I figured so. That is pretty lame. But, I mean what are the consequences... Worst case scenario the owner of the image contacts me and tells me to remove the image right? Its not like I'm going to keep it on my site after beng contacted like that.
        Do what you will, however the logic in that argument is similar to borrowing your neighbors lawnmower (without asking) figuring, you'll give it back "IF" he says something... where's the harm in it?
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
        Originally Posted by snowcloud View Post

        I figured so. That is pretty lame. But, I mean what are the consequences... Worst case scenario the owner of the image contacts me and tells me to remove the image right? Its not like I'm going to keep it on my site after beng contacted like that.

        It's possible that your first contact from the image copyright holder will come in the form of notification that you are being sued, along with your hosting company.

        I don't believe that the copyright holder is under any obligation to warn you first.

        There are so many image bundles for sale at astoundingly low prices or even from giveaways that borrowing form Google images is not worth the risk.
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        • Profile picture of the author Winlin
          Originally Posted by JMichaelZ View Post


          I don't believe that the copyright holder is under any obligation to warn you first.
          Excellent point. To paraphrase an earlier post "The law, is your warning" Pleading ignorance doesn't get you off the hook.

          Search for free and inexpensive stock photo's online. You can find some good stuff, relatively cheap.
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  • Profile picture of the author nicholasb
    I wouldn't recommend it, you need what are called stock images, they are images you pay to use while someone else maintains the copyright, you can get free stock images by searching them in google, or you can get some higher quality stuff fro istock photo
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  • Profile picture of the author snowcloud
    That makes sense. I guess I have no reason not to employee somebody from fiverr for this.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      Originally Posted by snowcloud View Post

      That makes sense. I guess I have no reason not to employee somebody from fiverr for this.
      If you get somebody to make you a banner or an image to sue on your site, it would be good to make sure that they have the rights to let you use the images. Rights are a complex thing. A person could have the rights make a banner or a header or even a guarantee graphic and not have the rights to sell those to you.

      And you would be stuck unless you have the rights document.

      This is a worst case scenario, and does not happen all the time, but it happens enough when designers are in jurisdictions different from where their customers.

      I do not know the designers personally on Fiverr, but I would guess that for 5 dollars, you are not going to get much of a guarantee on rights.
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      • Profile picture of the author jayaron
        I have used istock for alot of my sites but costs can soon add up.
        This is probably a daft question but..i have wondered with the millions of images out there being used and reproduced all the time how easy or difficult is it to prove you have used an image without paying for it first?
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        • Profile picture of the author packerfan
          Originally Posted by jayaron View Post

          I have used istock for alot of my sites but costs can soon add up.
          This is probably a daft question but..i have wondered with the millions of images out there being used and reproduced all the time how easy or difficult is it to prove you have used an image without paying for it first?
          Go grab a getty image and put it on your site and find out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sheila Dunfrey
    If you use images obtained from the internet to create your logo or for use on your website, you could be guilty of copyright infringement and not even realize it.

    Copyright infringement is illegal and can get you in a huge tub of hot water. While you might be “free” to use these images, there are still rules to be followed to ensure you don’t infringe on copyrights.
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  • Profile picture of the author WriterWahm
    Using an image that does not belong to you could get you sued, and it does not matter that the country you live in is different from that where the owner of the copyrighted material lives - copyright on the internet is international law.

    Use stock photos. Try canstockphoto.com you can get images for as low as $2.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      Originally Posted by WriterWahm View Post

      Using an image that does not belong to you could get you sued, and it does not matter that the country you live in is different from that where the owner of the copyrighted material lives - copyright on the internet is international law.

      Use stock photos. Try canstockphoto.com you can get images for as low as $2.
      Copyright on the internet may indeed be international law, I am certainly not a lawyer and don't play one on the internet. But differing jurisdictions do make a difference in how the law is enforced.

      A person from New Jersey who hires a provider on Fiverr (for instance) and the only contact they have is through an email is going to be left holding the bag if a suit appears.

      A copyright lawyer is not going to fly from New Jersey to anywhere to serve a suit, they are going to go for the person who bought the graphics and is living in New Jersey.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Yes, you can use certain images from Google.

    When searching Google images simply click on 'Advanced Image Search'

    Google Advanced Image Search

    Under usage rights be sure to select the option 'Only images labeled for reuse' and then select the option under that called 'Commercial Use'.

    Yes, you are going to get a much smaller selection of images returned but these are the only ones you are allowed to use.
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    • Profile picture of the author joseph7384
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author ClarkKent
        Flickr -> Creative Commons
        Drop an attribution link
        Profit!

        Just make sure you check your licenses to make sure you're getting the proper images.
        Some are non-commercial, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author iart434
    yes there will be problem as you are gonna use those images for commercial purpose.
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  • Profile picture of the author davidtong
    Clark is correct...

    There's actually a simpler way too... Ask Permission.

    A simple email telling the creator you're interested to use his/her image (state the size and intended use) for your blog etc. will often give you the green light.

    Most amateurs want a backlink to their site and proper credit for the most part anyway.

    Of course, if you're using it for commercial purposes or if you're going to need a large version, just buy them from stock photo sites.
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  • Profile picture of the author timpears
    I use Google Images a a lot. You have to be careful and always select the advanced options. When there down almost to the bottom there is a selection where you choose 'only images labeled for reuse' and two other selections if you need them as well.

    Then after you select an image, you have to check the license terms. Most of them will be creative commons, but there are many that are from Getty Images and you have to ask for permission, and more than likely pay. I don't have time to wait for them to respond, so I avoid them like the plague as they are notorious for going after people that use their images with their lawyers. They have big guns and you don't want to mess with them.

    Most of the graphics seem to require attribution. A small price to pay.

    If all else fails, use a service that you pay for the images. There are a few that only charge a dollar or two per image.
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    Tim Pears

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  • Profile picture of the author Levira
    Originally Posted by snowcloud View Post

    I am concerned that there is something a little shady about taking random pictures from Google images and placing them on your site.
    I actually didn't know that it was wrong. I just assumed they were free to use, so I have downloaded and used a few. I have to clean up my act before I land into any trouble.
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  • Profile picture of the author caplon
    out of thinking question, but every gave good answer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Akogo
    This WSO should answer many of the questions you have about using images...

    http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...ive-guide.html
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    Product Creation Mastery Video Course
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  • Profile picture of the author davidtong
    I think the rules of creative commons is easy enough to understand if you want to use images...

    Easiest and cheapest is still to ask...

    But please don't forget... most of us don't take pictures to give it away for free... if you see a really good picture, pay for it... photographers need to eat too.
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  • Profile picture of the author snowcloud
    Thanks a ton for that WillR I didn't even know you can do that.
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  • Profile picture of the author terryuk73
    I think that alot of this depends alot on what the pictures you are using are. For instance if you are doing amazon product reviews, I cant see how you are likely to get into any copyright issues using the stock photos for the product. Using pictures that have clearly been created by someone else is just asking for trouble in the long run.
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  • Profile picture of the author snowcloud
    I had another question regarding this. If I grab desktop wallpaper from free stock wallpaper sites and use them on my site for "commercial" use is there anything wrong with that? I mean they are offering them for free. I don't see the harm in that.
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