Legal use of images in blogs

19 replies
Where do most blogs get their images? I have heard of people using google images but i dont think that's exactly legal and if you get big enough, it will not be pretty.

When I read websites like engadget.com or other type of blogs, they always get photos instantly. They push new content every day. Where are they getting their images? I understand they shoot their own sometimes, especially if its a device or something that they get "hands-on" or review but there are plenty of blogs that use images of people as references. Like if I was writing a piece of Martin luther king jr. and I took a picture of him (small thumbnail) and placed it to float next to my content, where would I need to get this image to make it legal?

Certainly people aren't contacting every single photographer for use of approval so there must be a database that is useable. Is that what "stock" photos are?


What about newly released tech devices? Slashgear, engadget, gizmodo, techcrunch, android authority, phandroid, they all use the same thumbnail for new headlines that are breaking. For instance, HP Touchpad fire sale, they all had the same image. Obviously they're not doing it with the mentality that "because the bigger blog is using it, I'm going to". They must be doing it for a reason.

Are images released by the general press up for grabs? Or are news source or press sources useable on a blog as long as you credit the source?
#blogs #images #legal
  • Profile picture of the author kettlecorn
    I really need to hit 15 posts to link to the articles to show you guys an example. But type in "Engadget disney ipad toy" into google and first link. There's a picture of an ipad with a toy car on it. Slashgear, android authority, tech crunch all used this image. The image source is Disney and found in the press release.

    So did they all contact disney or are they using images that are free to the public?
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by kettlecorn View Post

      I really need to hit 15 posts to link to the articles to show you guys an example. But type in "Engadget disney ipad toy" into google and first link. There's a picture of an ipad with a toy car on it. Slashgear, android authority, tech crunch all used this image. The image source is Disney and found in the press release.

      So did they all contact disney or are they using images that are free to the public?
      I imagine that the "big" blogs such as Engadget, Slashgear, TechCrunch and Android Authority all have permission to use that photo. With that big c on it for copyright, that is not a public photo.
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  • Profile picture of the author tahoecale
    first i would say unless the image is copyrighted theres no issue.. and theres a ton of public domain images out there and site to get them from and theres a tons of sites on the web who sell stock photos just do some research
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    • Profile picture of the author Scott Million
      Originally Posted by tahoecale View Post

      first i would say unless the image is copyrighted theres no issue..
      Incorrect.
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    • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
      Originally Posted by tahoecale View Post

      first i would say unless the image is copyrighted theres no issue..
      Say what? Images are copyrighted upon creation.
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    • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
      Originally Posted by tahoecale View Post

      first i would say unless the image is copyrighted theres no issue.. and theres a ton of public domain images out there and site to get them from and theres a tons of sites on the web who sell stock photos just do some research
      This is exactly the kind of information that gets people in trouble.

      Images are always - ALWAYS - copyrighted. It's automatic when they're created. The copyright may not be registered with the US Copyright Office, but it doesn't have to be for the copyright to be valid.

      Only use images that you KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have permission to use, for the purpose you're using it for.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Million
    Originally Posted by kettlecorn View Post

    Where do most blogs get their images?
    Sites like istockphoto.com, revostock, etc. Just Google "royalty free images/photos"

    I have heard of people using google images but i dont think that's exactly legal
    No, it's not, not unless those are royalty free images, public domain works, or have something like a creative commons license (Google "Creative Commons Images" and you'll find a bunch you can use... different requirements if you're using them commercially or not.)

    When I read websites like engadget.com or other type of blogs, they always get photos instantly. They push new content every day. Where are they getting their images?
    If they are talking about a product or something like that the merchants generally like the free press and don't care. Apple wants you to post their awesome iPad photos everywhere and talk about the product, but technically you could get hit... usually a warning "take this down" is what happens.

    Martin Luther King?
    Pics of OLD famous people (I think it's 30 years?) are generally public domain works, but not always.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      The sites you list are mostly news type sites. They were probably allowed use of a press kit from the companies they talk about. If it's ever a physical product, check for press kits or media kits and see if it's allowed for your type of site.

      Other images may need to be purchased but even celebrities often have press images available so it's worth looking into.
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  • Profile picture of the author ronaldmd
    Maybe you should just use it. If you're contacted by DMCA, remove the copyrighted material, because no one cares about some meaningless images. I also got mine from google image search with no problem.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      Originally Posted by ronaldmd View Post

      Maybe you should just use it. If you're contacted by DMCA, remove the copyrighted material, because no one cares about some meaningless images. I also got mine from google image search with no problem.
      Can anyone say Getty Images?

      Come on... I know you can.

      :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    There is an option in google images where you can select to only view those images that are not copyright and are available for commercial use.

    Just hit that option when looking for images to use.
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  • Profile picture of the author luvtrees
    There are plenty of sites that offer images that you can use in your websites or blogs. MorgueFile is my personal fave. Usually it's just regular people who take photos and upload them to these sites and they sometimes include a note with the image, like please email me or credit me if you use my photo.
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  • Profile picture of the author kettlecorn
    Hmm interesting. These kind of legal stuff really don't cross people's minds (at least not mine) when it comes to starting websites. I never knew that blogs had to be so meticulous about their image sources until a few months ago. Makes me wonder how smaller/medium blogs without the manpower of an ad sales or public relations staff manages to constantly acquire permissions, press kits, etc. for the latest products. I think that trying to start a news site on gadgets would end up costing a lot of money on images and new release publications alone. lol



    When someone above mentioned a "press release", what does that exactly mean? Are there certain photos that the company/photographers release to the public? Like Apple launch of the new iphone 5 coming in a few days for example. If I owned a small tech blog and wanted to write a piece on it with lots of graphics (thumbnails or not) pointing out various design flaws, pros and cons, etc., could they use the photos released by Apple? Seems like a gray area..
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    • Profile picture of the author Chris Grable
      Originally Posted by kettlecorn View Post

      Hmm interesting. These kind of legal stuff really don't cross people's minds (at least not mine) when it comes to starting websites. I never knew that blogs had to be so meticulous about their image sources until a few months ago. Makes me wonder how smaller/medium blogs without the manpower of an ad sales or public relations staff manages to constantly acquire permissions, press kits, etc. for the latest products. I think that trying to start a news site on gadgets would end up costing a lot of money on images and new release publications alone. lol



      When someone above mentioned a "press release", what does that exactly mean? Are there certain photos that the company/photographers release to the public? Like Apple launch of the new iphone 5 coming in a few days for example. If I owned a small tech blog and wanted to write a piece on it with lots of graphics (thumbnails or not) pointing out various design flaws, pros and cons, etc., could they use the photos released by Apple? Seems like a gray area..
      kettlecorn... it's not a grey area at all. If they say you can.... you can. If they don't say that you can... you can't. The info you would need is likely to be found in a press KIT rather than a press release. The kit will either provide you with material and guidance on how you can use it... or it will refer to someone who can assist you. Otherwise... you need to dust off your digital SLR.

      Best of luck!
      chris
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  • Profile picture of the author gohan2091
    Copyright is pain but it's important
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by gohan2091 View Post

      Copyright is pain but it's important
      Thanks for clearing that up - I had no idea.
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      • Profile picture of the author gohan2091
        Originally Posted by WillR View Post

        Thanks for clearing that up - I had no idea.
        lol, I still don't understand copyright completely but I know the basis of it. Sure, no problem! :p
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        • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
          Banned
          If you download and use any image belonging to GettyImages by accident, you can count on receiving a nice large fine in the post. They have image tracking software embedded into all of their images, so you need to be very wary of nicking professional looking photographs / images online period. Not to mention that it's stealing anyway.

          To the OP...

          Type into Google - Public Domain Images or Commercial Use Copyleft Images see what those two queries bring up in the results. And make sure you look at the licensing details for each image you're interested in.

          This resource might get you started off on the right path...

          Public Domain Pictures - Free Stock Photos

          Latest pictures...

          Latest Pictures Public Domain Pictures - Free Stock Photos Page 1

          Best,


          Mark Andrews
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          • Profile picture of the author kettlecorn
            Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

            If you download and use any image belonging to GettyImages by accident, you can count on receiving a nice large fine in the post. They have image tracking software embedded into all of their images, so you need to be very wary of nicking professional looking photographs / images online period. Not to mention that it's stealing anyway.

            To the OP...

            Type into Google - Public Domain Images or Commercial Use Copyleft Images see what those two queries bring up in the results. And make sure you look at the licensing details for each image you're interested in.

            This resource might get you started off on the right path...



            Best,


            Mark Andrews

            Thanks! I have no problems paying for small thumbnails for my post, I was just wondering how people get the latest and greatest images. Luckily the blog I want to start isn't in the tech field. Just a standard blog.
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