Legal questions about using images on blogs

5 replies
I just started a sports blog. I'm planning on adding pictures that are taken at baseball games. However this brings up a few legal questions that I cannot answer:


1) Since team logos are subject to copyright, what's the legality of me doing this? Can I post a picture of a baseball player who happens to be wearing a Yankees hat?
2) Celebrities (like any of us) have the right to privacy. Can I get in trouble for using an image of a celebrity/athlete that's taken by me?


If the worse case senero is that I get a cease and decease letter that's ok. It's easy enough to take the image down. My only worry is that I might get sued. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?
#blogs #images #legal #questions
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      If the worse case senero is that I get a cease and decease letter that's ok.
      That isn't the worst case scenario - and not that likely when dealing with image violations. A large bill for use is just as likely.

      Use the link Alex gave above. There will be people here telling you "just do it" - but they won't be in the courtroom with you.
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  • Profile picture of the author MacMiller
    Better play safe than sorry. As far as team logos go, I would imagine it is ok to use the logo if you are a fan, or not trying to manipulate your visitors. Celebrity photos are much stricter, I would not use any on my site if they were the means of profiting.
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    Here is what attorney Pamela Koslyn said about this...

    You can mention the team's names and write out their team names while reporting news without any license, but if you organize posts by using their logos, team colors, mascots etc., then you're using their protected trademarks and runningn the risk of infringing by confusing their fans about whether your site is affiliated with the teams.

    You'd have to use a disclaimer with each logo, etc. that defines who the owner of the TM is, and makes it clear that it's not you who owns these TMs, and that your site is not endorsed by these rightsholders.

    Disclaimer: Please note that this answer does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on, since each state has different laws, each situation is fact specific, and it is impossible to evaluate a legal problem without a comprehensive consultation and review of all the facts and documents at issue. This answer does not create an attorney-client relationship.
    http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/ca...e--431330.html

    With that being said, I produced a public access TV show on the Red Sox when I was 13. One phone call and one letter is all it took for me to get permission to use the Red Sox logo. I would imagine that you can easily do the same.
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  • Profile picture of the author tjcreation
    I'm not a lawyer and you should consult one before you proceed. Overall, the best idea is to get permissions/buy images before ever using one on any site. Not doing so can open up a door to a whole lot of trouble.
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