4 replies
I've been thinking about making some funny memes and adding them to my site. I see different places offering blank memes where you can put your own text on them. Are there any copyright issues using memes?
#copyright #memes
  • Profile picture of the author YmT590
    I don't think there is copyright issues with memes because you can make your own whether from a site or in Photoshop.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9330057].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author nicheblogger75
      Originally Posted by YmT590 View Post

      I don't think there is copyright issues with memes because you can make your own whether from a site or in Photoshop.
      I'd be careful in this area. I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure that grabbing an image off the net and putting text over it won't void any copyright the image had.

      If it's your own original image that you are altering then I would say there's nothing to worry about, but I would be very careful about pulling an image off of Google and adding your own text to it and then sharing it. Although people do this on Facebook left and right. The copyright infringement on that site is completely out of control and seems to go unregulated.

      I'm surprised there haven't been a ton of legal issues due to this yet. Maybe there have and I've just not heard about it. At any rate, just be careful. You don't want to get your mail one day and find a letter from Getty Images, as many unsuspecting marketers have.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9330249].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author IrisMKH
        Originally Posted by nicheblogger75 View Post

        I'd be careful in this area. I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure that grabbing an image off the net and putting text over it won't void any copyright the image had.

        If it's your own original image that you are altering then I would say there's nothing to worry about, but I would be very careful about pulling an image off of Google and adding your own text to it and then sharing it. Although people do this on Facebook left and right. The copyright infringement on that site is completely out of control and seems to go unregulated.

        I'm surprised there haven't been a ton of legal issues due to this yet. Maybe there have and I've just not heard about it. At any rate, just be careful. You don't want to get your mail one day and find a letter from Getty Images, as many unsuspecting marketers have.
        Seconding this. You better know the origins of the meme's image. Chances of being sued are slim, but the copyright laws still applied. I had one of my own paintings taken and made into a meme by a random internet guy. It never took off, but the point is that he used copyrighted work and whoever would have made new memes based on "his" image would still be violating copyright laws for using an image I made and have copyright on...

        I don't understand how sites like 9Gag pull it off - they are stuffed with copyrighted stuff, often without giving credit. I've heard many artists complain about 9Gag and similar sites.
        Signature

        Currently drawing: http://irishopp.com/

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9330270].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author st0nec0ld
    It's better to have or to create your own memes. So you don't need to worry at all and you won't think about copyright issues.
    Signature

    12BET | Live Casino Malaysia

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9330313].message }}

Trending Topics