Question about using copyrighted content for my own blogs

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Hello all, I have a quick question.

I've always used my own original content for my blogs. However, I know that some people use other peoples' articles in order to get fresh content for their blogs, and they simply cite the original source.

Now, doing a Google search on this yields varying different answers. Some say to only use snippets of other peoples' content embedded into my own content (and of course citing the sources where the snippets come from). Others say that it's perfectly fine to use other peoples' content in its entirety so long as you cite and link to the original source. Than you have those that say to just not use other peoples' content at all.

This question applies to the use of photos that I find on the internet as well. I'm not talking about Flicker photos that are filtered and allowed to be used commercially. I'm talking about copyrighted photos.

My question is, how would I legally be allowed to use copyrighted content on my own blogs? Or is this not possible at all?

Thanks!
#main internet marketing discussion forum #blogs #content #copyrighted #question
  • I believe that it all boils down to credits. You have to make sure that you credit, the source, for the photo, etc, that you use.

    That is my understanding, but in order to now for sure, you would have to speak to a lawyer, and then it would depend what country the source material is from etc.

    Sorry if this does not help you very much.
  • My understanding is that generally you should have the consent of the copyright holder to reproduce their work on your blog. However this is not always the case as often a content licence is in place such as creative commons that defines how the content may or may not be used.
  • Banned
    It actually has NOTHING to do with credits. If it's not yours, don't take it. It's copyright infringement unless it falls under the very limited rules of fair use. If you want to use someone's intellectual property, ask permission. Giving a credit to stolen copy or photos is not a pass on copyright infringement and you can be sued. At the very least, your host can receive a DMCA notice and then they have no alternative to notify you to remove it or be suspended.
    • [ 8 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Listen to Suzanne.

      Also be aware that as soon as someone takes a photo or writes a unique piece of content, that image or content is copyright protected. The originator does not have to formally file for a copyright in order to enjoy the protection of the law.

      If you want to be safe and display great original content for your site, create it yourself.

      Steve
      • [1] reply
  • I'm really glad this thread came up because I recently grabbed a course about content curation and I'm trying to understand exactly what it's all about. The course doesn't really explain copyright and I know that I hate when someone rips my content off and so I would never want to do it to anyone else. Not to mention that there can be legal repercussions.

    I know for a while it was quite a big thing and a lot of bloggers were doing it, but I never did because I couldn't seem to figure out whether or not this was legal to do. I have heard that sites like Huffington Post do it correctly. When I look at that site it just seems like they are grabbing news stories and rehashing them. I know whatever it is they do they are doing a great job of it because it's a real popular site.

    So, if you take a snippet of material from another blog or a news story and you cite the source, is that content curation?

    I've also seen videos on YouTube where people create videos such as those "fail" type videos. For example, "The 10 Worst Bike Accidents", or something like that. I've even seen a lot of videos where clips are even pulled from different movies and woven together in a remix style video.

    Frankly, I'm confused about content curation. And my policy is that if I'm not sure if something is OK, I don't do it.

    That being said, I would certainly like to know how to do it right. Up until now anything I publish on my blogs has always been original content that I created. I do post images from Flickr that are allowed for commercial use, and I have a plugin that automatically cites the source of them. So I think I'm covered there.

    If anyone can take the time to break this down a little for me I would greatly appreciate it.
    • [1] reply
    • Just curious if anyone addressed this question of where to draw the line between content curation and flat-out borrowing someone else's work?
  • It has always been my understanding that regardless of credit given you can not use copyrighted material unless given permission. None of us are attorneys within this area of law, although there very well may be a few here on WF. It is impossible to give you an absolute answer either way without knowing specifics and the statutes associated with copyright law in your area of the world.

    My only word of advice would be to contact an attorney or simply contact the owner of the material you wish to use first.
    • [1] reply
    • Well, here's the facts: It's perfectly all right to use copyrighted material if you have the permission of the copyright owner. If you don't it is illegal. That's the answer in a nutshell. People who use works without permission are violating the copyright even if they attribute it, unless the owner has made it available as such. A great deal of it goes on on the web, but they are all at risk if they do it.

      I haven't seen mention here of Creative Commons licensing. This is something new people have been doing since the web began. Some copyright owners make their works available to varying degrees of use, usually requiring an attribution and a link. You can find a great deal of Creative Commons images and works through sites like Flickr, Wikicommons, and Googling the term.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • As Wade Watson mentioned, Creative Commons is a great way to get content that you have permission to use.

    Creative Commons
    When an author/content creator places their work under a Creative Commons license, they grant people the right to share/use their work, if certain requirements are met.

    The easiest way to understand Creative Commons is to visit the Creative Commons website.

    When you use Creative Commons content, you have to follow the Creative Commons license and the author's instructions regarding credit/attribution.

    There are different types of Creative Commons licenses, so make sure that you have been granted the right to use it in the way you intend to use it.

    Other Licensed content
    You could just buy content that has been placed under a license that allows you to use it, like royalty free music or stock photography.

    Or, you could approach the content creator and ask for permission to use their content.
  • haha Nicely said!
    • [1] reply
    • I am going to repeat myself, but this time a bit more directly.

      Which would you prefer... Some one else's good content on your blog? OR your blog to be listed on Google?

      As of the 2011 Google "Panda" update that cracked down on "Borrowed" content, it makes absolutely NO SENSE to post anything other than ORIGINAL content. You can only harm your potential page ranking by doing this.

      The google bot that scans your site has no clue you have permission, no clue you left a notation, it just knows it is duplicate text.

      If you are so inclined to still share another's content it would be suggested to do so with a from your page to theirs. This actually in many cases can be a benefit to your page ranking due to association with an "Authority" ( There are many factors involved in that determination, so it is still not highly suggested. ) I will admit that when possible I do try to link to Wikipedia as a source of Authority.

      Above and beyond anything else the above practice, is 1) legal and 2) SEO more friendly than posting the text on your site.

      In regards to Photos. Copyright is copyright. If you do not have "Written" permission to use it, DONT! When it comes right down to it, it is often very easy to grab your phone or camera and create a image that you need. I use dang near 100% original photos with all my work. The "Dang Near" is actually images a customer already has.

      I have this theory... Pinterest is the Model for future online image use. Each image on Pinterest maintains its author tag. Regardless of how many pins that image has gotten, it links right back to the 'Site" of origin. As a Photographer I think it would be damn nice to go to a website and see exactly where my image is, and where it shouldn't be!

      hope that helps!
  • Why would I ask this question? Because I don't know the answer that's why.

    I have a friend who makes several hundred per day promoting clickbank products on both his Facebook page and his blog. He does not create any of his own content (pictures or blog posts). He just simply has LOTS of stuff made by other people on his site.

    I've been in this game for years, and never have I once stolen anyone's work; I've always done 100% original work. However, in seeing that this person is making a decent income by literally not actually creating any of his own content, naturally I wanted to ask those who may have experience in the area.

    My apologies if this did not meet your standards of what an acceptable question is.
    • [1] reply

    • You have a friend... ask the friend where their traffic comes from... does it come from Google, or does it come from their social media efforts. I am going to heavily lean to the side of no google traffic. And all I can say, the practice is not for me.

      Plain and simple the internet is huge, most people don't chase down people that use their content, its to time consuming, but the reality of it is, its not legal. So it becomes a moral issue.
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      • [1] reply
  • Also, I see "borrowed" work all the time while browsing around the net. Blogs are always referencing other blogs and whatnot.
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    • Rob, there are two kinds of "borrowed" content - with permission and without.

      With permission content is easy - stay within the terms of that permission and you're golden.

      Without permission is a slightly grayer area. There's "fair use" - using small bits of content (typically ~10% or less) for purposes of commentary, critique or education. There's the kind of "borrowing" you noted on many blogs, where the intent is to create conversation. Both of these are generally accompanied by citations and live links.

      Then you have the last type of "borrowing" - content theft. AKA copyright infringement or theft of intellectual property. "Rewriting" - copying something and changing the order of the paragraphs or substituting a few words to make it "unique" also falls in this category, AKA "creating derivative works."

      If you decide to go down this path, please don't confuse "not getting caught yet" with "okay to do."
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  • This is correct.

    This is incorrect.

    If a photograph is copyrighted you can't use it without permission or without paying the photographer.

    Not without permission. If you use a copyrighted photograph, for instance, the photographer can invoice you for its use and even if you remove it straight away, they still have the legal right to claim payment. It's not worth the risk when there are so many options for free, legal images around.

    For written content, just don't steal it. You know that really! If you can really justify Fair Use for quotations then do that, but don't take the risk. If it's not yours, don't take it.
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • Then your understanding is wrongYou need to do that.
  • I would focus on creating original content that has my own unique voice/personality. Using other people's content to drive traffic (if that was your intention) isn't going to help you long term if you plan on building a sustainable business online. You could always curate other people's content,that seems more of an effective strategy.
  • I have a question. If someone uses text from my website, spin it and add on his website, Will I be able to take a legal action against him?

    Because the text will pass copyscape after spinning it...
  • probably not.
  • The US does not account for the whole world Ken.
  • Good question! I thought about this quite a bit when I first started IM. Sure you can take someones content their photo's heck there whole post and you will probably be fine. I think there is a lot of value in what people refer to as spinning articles. In my particular niche for example there is a lot of information on a multitude of sites.

    I simply combine all of it into one very useful blog post which saves people time and effort and with images.. the amount of times an image no matter how unique will get taken reused by different sites is quite hard to even calculate.

    Personally if its factual posts your doing i.e the content needs to be accurate then i'd do a mix of unique/copied articles. With images worst case scenario they ask you to take them down. Good luck!
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