11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Image rules - Professional Athletes / Celebs etc

by Hoodyy
9 replies
I was just wondering what are the rules of using images of professional athletes / celebs etc? And does it differ when using, say screenshots from game footage?

As they're in the public domain, can I use them freely?
#athletes #celebs #image #professional #rules
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Images of celebs and athletes in the public domain? Yeah, right. If you don't own it or have a valid license to use it, forget it. Especially athletes and celebs. The actual owners of these images will most often come after you with a vengeance.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9897410].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author We Sell Sunglasses
    Those images are not public domain.

    This may apply but somehow I doubt it... U.S. Copyright Office - Fair Use
    Signature
    We Sell Sunglasses
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9897534].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      Hoodyy,

      IF images are in the public domain, then yes, you can use them freely. However, it would be extremely rare that a professional athlete or celebrity would have an image in the public domain. Even if you took a snapshot of an athlete from game film, their image is not in the public domain.

      You need to learn exactly what public domain is . . . because from your question it's evident that you are misinformed.

      Steve
      Signature

      Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
      SteveBrowneDirect

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9897544].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    For images of celebrities and athletes, first check these resources and see if they can help...

    Amazon.com - Is there a book about them? If so, adding a book with their picture on the cover to a web page makes the page look relevant. And you may earn some money.

    AllPosters.com - Join their affiliate program. They have lots of posters and they let you embed images of the posters on your pages and you may earn some money by selling a poster.

    Youtube - Embed a video about the athlete or celebrity.

    All are free (and legal) and Amazon and AllPosters even give you a chance to make some money.
    Signature
    Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
    Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9897977].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Hoodyy
    So technically, from what you're telling me, the image of Lionel Messi on this product page isn't allowed: FIFA15 Ultimate Team Millionaire - Autobuyer & Autobidder

    But the fact that this image is used everywhere all over the web for so many things sort of makes it OK to use images like this? Or is it just a case of use it and if they come for you take it down?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9898158].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      Hoodyy,

      People exceed the speed limit all the time too. They still get prosecuted when caught.

      Your rationale that just because others are breaching a copyright "sort of makes it OK" has more holes in it than a semi load of Swiss cheese. You've been warned. You can't use images of celebrities without their specific permission or a license from a firm that sells their image.

      "If they come for you take it down" will not keep you from being sued and receiving a substantial judgment.

      Read this article about the $8,000 mistake an "innocent" person just like you made.

      Steve
      Signature

      Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
      SteveBrowneDirect

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9898207].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
      Originally Posted by Hoodyy View Post

      Or is it just a case of use it and if they come for you take it down?
      And then what? Replace it with another copyright infringing image?

      You have a join date of 2010. You should know better by now.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9898426].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author onSubie
    Originally Posted by Hoodyy View Post

    I was just wondering what are the rules of using images of professional athletes / celebs etc? And does it differ when using, say screenshots from game footage?

    As they're in the public domain, can I use them freely?
    The photographer owns the photo not the celebrity. You need permission from the photographer.

    There are many stock photo sites that provide celebrity images.

    Edit:
    Read this article about the $8,000 mistake an "innocent" person just like you made.
    To be fair, if you read the article you will see that no judgement was entered against them. They negotiated and settled with the extortion letter.

    No doubt, no matter what you do you will get people claiming you owe them money for something.

    If you feel you are not liable then go to court.

    Given the situation as described, I doubt very much a court would award $3,000 which is what they settled for.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9898234].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author quinng123
    Generally speaking you rarely can use an image of a celebrity or famous person legally without the proper licensing. There instances of images of celebrities being in fair use if you use wikimedia , however generally I would say stay away from them for commercial use not unless you are going to get a license
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9898397].message }}

Trending Topics