Question regarting citing of sources for images

Wayne,

This topic has been covered here several times. Just last week one young fellow asked about it, but he didn't seem to like the answers he received because I guess he didn't want to deal with the truth.

Basically you need written permission or you need to purchase the rights to use the images. You can usually get use rights for images very cheaply from some of the stock agencies.

:-Don

Here's the thread that explains it...

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...8QOWbUQtqyyqHd

Of course it's still copyright infringement if you don't have permission to use it. Duh.

Your first assumption should be its infringement. You need to check out the site where you are getting the images. There are several royalty free image sites, and there are many images covered by the Creative Commons ( Creative Commons) so all that's required is what's listed in its license.

The odds are the images are covered by copyright and using them without permission is infringment - and if its a registered copyright and the owners find out you could be liable for a large settlement.

There's a company right now in Vegas NV that does nothing but buy copyrights and sues infringors. So if you've used on of their images you'll get a nice 150,000$ lawsuit and demands for your domain soon. Google RightHaven for more information.

There are also lots of stock image sites like iStockphoto where you can get a legal license for an image for reasonable prices.

When I right a book for a publisher they have permission letters which I need to get signed by holders of any images I use from the Internet - whether its an icon, an jpeg, a photo, or a screenshot.

Please, do not just copy an image off the net and think giving a credit will protect you - legally it won't. You need to get permission (ever seen those little blurbs in book - used with permission?) to use almost any image off the web.

Finally - there's a slippery slope in US copyright law call Fair Use. Don't go there unless you have a lawyer you can get advice from. The short version of this is you can not determine what is fair use, the creator of the item can NOT determine what is fair use - ONLY a judge can do that. Which means you have to go to court to see if its fair use.

Why take the chance? Simple do what we learned in kindergarten - ask permission. Some folks might be flattered that you want to use their image - others not so much so. Or they may want a payment to get permission. You'll never know unless you ask!

good luck!
best,
--Jack

Thanks a lot for the prompt replies guys, much appreciated