Legality and practicality of using random web pictures on your website?

cleanbluesky · 20 Dec 2007 at 10:54

As title, just lifting them straight off? Is it legal to use them and give credit?

Indy500 · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:05

cleanbluesky said:
As title, just lifting them straight off? Is it legal to use them and give credit?

As long as you're not in breach of copyright.

cleanbluesky · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:10

sr4470 said:
As long as you're not in breach of copyright.

And how can you find out the copyright on images?

Indy500 · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:15

cleanbluesky said:
And how can you find out the copyright on images?

The owner's website usually states it near the picture. In the case of Wiki it'll be underneath the image.

cleanbluesky · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:17

Yeah, I've found that the BBC don't like people using their pictures...

Indy500 · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:18

cleanbluesky said:
Yeah, I've found that the BBC don't like people using their pictures...

I take it it isn't a picture of a public street\place then?

MrSix · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:19

As above, you must find out the terms of use stated in the copyright. If it's not present on the website then you must get written permission from the owner of the image.

As a photographer I must ask you please, please, please do not just lift peoples images or photos off websites without consulting them first - it's A) Usually illegal and B) Down right annoying when you find somebody stealing your stuff.

cleanbluesky · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:20

sr4470 said:
I take it it isn't a picture of a public street\place then?

Yeah, it is...

Indy500 · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:21

cleanbluesky said:
Yeah, it is...

Surely those aren't hard to find?

cleanbluesky · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:21

MrSix said:
As above, you must find out the terms of use stated in the copyright. If it's not present on the website then you must get written permission from the owner of the image.

As a photographer I must ask you please, please, please do not just lift peoples images or photos off websites without consulting them first - it's A) Usually illegal and B) Down right annoying when you find somebody stealing your stuff.

If you don't like it, don't circulate your stuff - you want to control how people view what you create? I suppose you buy all your cds and DVD and have a little shrine to Metallica as well... I bet you set fire to your copies of Napster

cleanbluesky · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:21

sr4470 said:
Surely those aren't hard to find?

I want to use this, its lovely...

PinkPig · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:23

If there's no information then you should assume that you don't have permission to copy them - which is usually the case. It's certainly illegal to find random pictures on a website and put them on yours, even if you credit them.

Indy500 · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:23

cleanbluesky said:
I want to use this, its lovely...

Which BBC article is that from?

PinkPig · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:24

cleanbluesky said:
If you don't like it, don't circulate your stuff - you want to control how people view what you create? I suppose you buy all your cds and DVD and have a little shrine to Metallica as well... I bet you set fire to your copies of Napster

That's a ridiculous point of view. A photographer has a right to use their work and expect other people to keep the law.

cleanbluesky · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:26

PinkPig said:
That's a ridiculous point of view. A photographer has a right to use their work and expect other people to keep the law.

They have no 'right' to expect other people to behave within the law, crime is actually illegal and expecting a crime to remain completely unbroken is naive
They are hypocritical should they violate the copyright of others.

Surfer · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:30

cleanbluesky said:
If you don't like it, don't circulate your stuff - you want to control how people view what you create? I suppose you buy all your cds and DVD and have a little shrine to Metallica as well... I bet you set fire to your copies of Napster

??? uhh CBS he's right. Are you advocating illegal procurement of items on the forum?

Surfer · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:36

MrSix said:
As above, you must find out the terms of use stated in the copyright. If it's not present on the website then you must get written permission from the owner of the image.

As a photographer I must ask you please, please, please do not just lift peoples images or photos off websites without consulting them first - it's A) Usually illegal and B) Down right annoying when you find somebody stealing your stuff.

Agreed. Unfortunately theres been a few times that this certainly hasnt been adhered to on this forum (posting private pics and copyright works with gleeful abandon) and its a public forum...surprised moderators dont seem to be aware of the legal ramifications. A lot of people just ignore copyright regulations because they think they wont get caught....shame that people think that way. What i mean is they have no respect for individuals and their right to privacy/copyrighted works etc.

Abraham · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:46

regarding the legal situation i'm not sure it's as clear cut as is being made out
personally i would use a good image i found, although i normally use my own or stock photos. I would however be completely prepared to replace it should the owner complain

Surfer · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:49

cleanbluesky said:
I want to use this, its lovely...

nice. technically you are using it now

regarding the legal situation i'm not sure it's as clear cut as is being made out
personally i would use a good image i found, although i normally use my own or stock photos. I would however be completely prepared to replace it should the owner complain

Ahh - dont jump down my throat but are you saying its ok to use other people's stuff as long as the author doesnt know about it? What they dont know about cant hurt them eh?

A bit like stealing from the sweetie shop but if the shopkeeper gets annoyed - act all innocent and give the sweets back. But you're right it is more complicated because its extremely easy to find yourself using images and other copyright protected material without knowing or intending to commit an offence!

cleanbluesky · 20 Dec 2007 at 11:49

Surfer said:
??? uhh CBS he's right. Are you advocating illegal procurement of items on the forum?

No I'm advocating a complex philosophical discussion of 'rights' and the tangibility of enforcing copyright in a digital world... which seems to have gone above your head if you think I am endorsing copyright theft.

I'm also willing to bet that no-one here who is waxing lyrical about how copyright violation is BBBAAADDD M-KAY isn't guilty of it themselves