Is this illegal?

by 18 replies
21
Hi guys, im just wondering if its illegal to use the "Google" header image on my page as part of one of my headers. Would this count as being illegal or legal? Because i have seen a few websites do this..
#main internet marketing discussion forum #illegal
  • I am going to go out on a limb and say it's illegal. Trademark infringement would be my guess. These other sites that have done this will probably soon be caught and the owners sued. That just a guess though.
  • That's illegal, it a copyrighted image. I'm sure someone with more expertise could suggest a way of doing it legally, but I don't know of one...
    • [2] replies
    • illegal for sure
    • Yeah, it's called 'get permission from Google'.

      Wonder if they would give such permission? Has anyone actually asked?
  • Sure its so-so illegal but I wouldn't worry about it for now, unless you are a huge website they will probably never even find out or care. Its not like you are Hotmail or Apple or another major brand
    • [4] replies
    • Thats what i was thinking, all im using a little image of this picture in my header..
    • Are you suggesting that even if something is illegal, it's ok to do it if the probability of getting caught is low?
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • Sure, it's so-so illegal to steal money via identity theft, but I wouldn't worry about it for now, unless you steal a lot they will probably never even find out or care.

      Come on! It's not okay just because you might not get caught.

      All the best,
      Michael

      p.s. Your comment has been duly noted.
    • absolutely amazing advice there...

      I would also add that just because you recreate the logo yourself doesn't change anything.
  • I'm going to go with illegal. However, I think you could recreate a similar image in a paint program in about 3-4 minutes.
  • Hi I just joined and thought I'd put my two sense in I'd say It's defenetly illegal! But yes if you got the permission from Google than you could!
    • [1] reply
  • The best option is to seek legal advice. None of us here
    (I think) are properly suited to answer your question.

    However, if I can throw in a word of two -- if you want
    to use it, you have to state somewhere on the page that
    Google is not associated with your product.

    The reason I say that is because there are already a lot
    of products like Google Snatch, Google Ambush, Google
    This and Google That... All of them have "Google" in them
    and I won't be surprised if you find the same Google image
    on their sites.

    However, most (if not all) have either on their sites or in
    their disclaimer that Google is not related to their site.

    Then again, I can't advise you on anything legal but it's up
    to you =)

    All the best!

    Asher
  • This is what I found at the bottom of the Google Snatch
    sales letter page:

    "* Google Is the trademark of Google Inc. and is in no way
    associated with GoogleSnatch.com"

    Asher
  • I would just make my own image in photoshop that is similar, then you dont have to worry about it.
  • I would ask Google.
    I"m sure they could give you written guidelines.
    The thing with Google is that they are so open source about the things they promote and give away to get their business, they may very well be amenable to some sort of usage if they are able to use it as a way to make more money
  • It is, but they will most likely not do anything. If you use it for bad purposes, they might.
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    Is this illegal?

    Hi guys, im just wondering if its illegal to use the "Google" header image on my page as part of one of my headers. Would this count as being illegal or legal? Because i have seen a few websites do this..