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Is Using a Screenshot in a Review Legal?

by art72
6 replies
Just curious, I am writing a review for a product and was going to write the pricing options out for my readers, but can I legally use a screen-capture of the pricing chart?

You know, one of those (3) content box dealio's that shows the pricing for admission...

Thanks, never used a screenshot before, so wanted to make sure it's legit. Oh, it is for an affiliate product, so I am not stealing anything...just directing traffic to their offer.

Thanks,

Art
#legal #review #screenshot
  • Profile picture of the author awledd
    I used a screenshot of earnings here and my thread was deleted. Adsense and Clickbank prohibit to display some section of the earning data. Yes you asked about pricing chart and I think it is good to ask the vendor or affiliate network before getting into trouble.
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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    I wasn't referring to using it here. It's just the product looks great, their sales video is done very well... problem, they have crap for affiliate tools, so I am improvising, lol.

    Went ahead an published it on my blog, don't think the creator of the product will care, as they have to see the pricing chart before purchase, and I just thought it will add some accountability...I'm already showing them what it will look like.

    Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    Many companies have strict rules, to protect their trademark and copyright, about if and how and when to use screenshots, names of products, etc. So you may want to check first with the company.

    The only two people that can really answer your question fully are:

    1. The company whose stuff you may be infringing on.
    2. The judge presiding at the trial if it came to that.

    Mark

    Originally Posted by art72 View Post

    Just curious, I am writing a review for a product and was going to write the pricing options out for my readers, but can I legally use a screen-capture of the pricing chart?

    You know, one of those (3) content box dealio's that shows the pricing for admission...

    Thanks, never used a screenshot before, so wanted to make sure it's legit. Oh, it is for an affiliate product, so I am not stealing anything...just directing traffic to their offer.

    Thanks,

    Art
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      A lot of people operate on the concept that it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, but many times permission is a whole lot cheaper.

      Art, is the price chart displayed in plain sight or hidden behind a pricing link or such? If the vendor prefers to keep pricing options hidden until he's made his pitch, he may not appreciate you putting it on your pre-sell site.

      Another thought...

      What if the vendor tests various prices, and the prices people you refer see are not the same as the ones in your screen shot? There's a reason Amazon "encourages" associates to use their tools to display prices or not show them at all.

      Bottom line, why not just ask for permission?
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  • Profile picture of the author veekay31
    Best is to ask the vendor if you can use the screenshots. Actually the vendor may allow you or provide you an alternate image to use. I've requested such info from some vendors on clickbank and got a lot of additional info for marketing purposes from them.
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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    After reading the responses, I went ahead and removed it. Some valid arguments were raised that significantly 'influenced' that decision...

    I certainly don't like judges, lol

    Two, it might be best to let visitors see the pre-sell, as John mentioned; the pricing chart is behind a link only accessible after the sales pitch.
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