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Using images that aren't yours.
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Dec 5, 2013 15:07:25   #
txtravelgal
 
On another forum, people were discussing using images taken from the web. You all know people use these photographs on Facebook, Pinterest, etc. My dilemma: I would like to find pictures to use on my business Facebook and Pinterest pages in order to engage people in conversation. I would be willing to pay for the use, but how does one find out who photographed the pictures that one finds on Google, etc. if there is no attribution? I am just starting a small craft business and can't afford to be sued for copyright infringement.

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Dec 5, 2013 15:44:17   #
Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ
 
txtravelgal wrote:
On another forum, people were discussing using images taken from the web. You all know people use these photographs on Facebook, Pinterest, etc. My dilemma: I would like to find pictures to use on my business Facebook and Pinterest pages in order to engage people in conversation. I would be willing to pay for the use, but how does one find out who photographed the pictures that one finds on Google, etc. if there is no attribution? I am just starting a small craft business and can't afford to be sued for copyright infringement.
On another forum, people were discussing using ima... (show quote)


Why aren't you going to use your own images?
You ARE on a photography forum.
Isn't it a (can't find nice word for lie) to show somebody else's work?

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Dec 5, 2013 16:07:30   #
SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina
 
Nobody can photograph everything needed for various projects. But, some photographers have been very helpful over the years.

For starters, check this site:

http://www.fontplay.com/freephotos/

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Dec 5, 2013 16:18:42   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
There are non copyright images on the net. Specific sites will state this. Equally there was a point raised a while ago that the copyright law was changing - proposal was that - you only had to show an attempt at tracing the "owner" of a photo to be able to use it. Caused a bit of a stir - don't know the outcome.

with business images especially on the internet I would err on caution...negative press can harm your presence whereas in the olden days all press was good press unless they pressed you through your shop window!

Alternatively you could ask for specific pictures from a photography forum - you never know there might be some kind photographers out here(I mean out there)

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Dec 6, 2013 00:25:21   #
St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet
 
Welcome to UHH

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Dec 6, 2013 07:39:30   #
cthahn
 
txtravelgal wrote:
On another forum, people were discussing using images taken from the web. You all know people use these photographs on Facebook, Pinterest, etc. My dilemma: I would like to find pictures to use on my business Facebook and Pinterest pages in order to engage people in conversation. I would be willing to pay for the use, but how does one find out who photographed the pictures that one finds on Google, etc. if there is no attribution? I am just starting a small craft business and can't afford to be sued for copyright infringement.
On another forum, people were discussing using ima... (show quote)


Take your own pictures, then there is nothing to worry about.

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Dec 6, 2013 08:50:25   #
mrtobin Loc: North East Ohio
 
If you need to buy a photo, go to a "stock photo" site and buy one.
Shutter stock, I stock, Dreams time et al.
They also offer some for free.

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Dec 6, 2013 08:51:39   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
txtravelgal wrote:
On another forum, people were discussing using images taken from the web. You all know people use these photographs on Facebook, Pinterest, etc. My dilemma: I would like to find pictures to use on my business Facebook and Pinterest pages in order to engage people in conversation. I would be willing to pay for the use, but how does one find out who photographed the pictures that one finds on Google, etc. if there is no attribution? I am just starting a small craft business and can't afford to be sued for copyright infringement.
On another forum, people were discussing using ima... (show quote)

Welcome to our forum!

Using someone else's photos is a hot topic here. If I were to post a picture here that I found online, I would get grief (and rightfully so) from members. Posting a link to the image is the way to do it.

There are millions of images that are public domain, and that's the safe way to go. If you take someone's image and use it for your business, you could open yourself up to a lawsuit. The Postal Service recently paid a large sum to a photographer who took a picture of the Korean War Memorial in DC. They used his picture as the basis for a stamp without his permission.

Talking to a lawyer who is familiar with this topic is the only safe way to go.

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Dec 6, 2013 09:08:43   #
Selkii Loc: Oakland, CA & Vancouver Island
 
When designing a Web site, sometimes an on-a-budget client will want to "borrow" pics from another site. Unless I can reach the owner of the site, whether by Whois, webmaster, or info embedded in the photo or indicated on the Web site itself, to get written permission, I will adamantly refuse to use it. If I do track down the owner of the photo, I will offer complete attribution and/or link back to their site.

Depending on the situation, having either myself or the client take the photos is by far the best and safest way to go (besides having control over content).

Be careful of sites that say the photos are copyright free, yet have an elaborate disclaimer. If they won't take the responsibility of ownership, then you may end up using stolen photos.

Hope this helps. I am a first time poster, but copyright enfringement is a hot point with me, enough to bring me out of lurking. :wink:

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Dec 6, 2013 09:19:16   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Selkii wrote:
When designing a Web site, sometimes an on-a-budget client will want to "borrow" pics from another site. Unless I can reach the owner of the site, whether by Whois, webmaster, or info embedded in the photo or indicated on the Web site itself, to get written permission, I will adamantly refuse to use it. If I do track down the owner of the photo, I will offer complete attribution and/or link back to their site.

Depending on the situation, having either myself or the client take the photos is by far the best and safest way to go (besides having control over content).

Be careful of sites that say the photos are copyright free, yet have an elaborate disclaimer. If they won't take the responsibility of ownership, then you may end up using stolen photos.

Hope this helps. I am a first time poster, but copyright enfringement is a hot point with me, enough to bring me out of lurking. :wink:
When designing a Web site, sometimes an on-a-budge... (show quote)

Welcome to our forum!

And thanks for posting this good advice.

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Dec 6, 2013 09:38:15   #
Selkii Loc: Oakland, CA & Vancouver Island
 
Thank you for the welcome. This topic overcame my shyness. I've had entire website designs and photos stolen in the past. When confronted, there is an attitude of, "if it is posted on the Internet, it is free game," or, "how the heck did you find me!"

Even if something isn't specifically stated as copyrighted, it comes down to respecting another's work. If this is not motivation enough, it simply is never worth the chance of a law suit.

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Dec 6, 2013 09:57:48   #
DaveMM Loc: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
 
jerryc41 wrote:
Welcome to our forum!The Postal Service recently paid a large sum to a photographer who took a picture of the Korean War Memorial in DC. They used his picture as the basis for a stamp without his permission.
I thought that the Post Office was sued by the sculptor of the statue. I understand that you can take a photo of a statue for your own use, but not to use for commercial purposes (except, obviously, for old statues that are out of copyright by effluxion of time).

Still, the principle is the same as using someone's copyright photo for commercial purposes.

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Dec 6, 2013 10:04:31   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
DaveMM wrote:
I thought that the Post Office was sued by the sculptor of the statue. I understand that you can take a photo of a statue for your own use, but not to use for commercial purposes (except, obviously, for old statues that are out of copyright by effluxion of time).

Still, the principle is the same as using someone's copyright photo for commercial purposes.

Right! It was the sculptor.

http://petapixel.com/2013/09/23/sculptor-awarded-685000-photo-korean-war-memorial-used-stamp/

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Dec 6, 2013 10:11:57   #
lorenww Loc: St. Petersburg
 
If I am designing a website, this is one of my first stops for images.
http://www.sxc.hu/

Pretty much everything is free unless you plan to resell.
Granted, using your own photos is best but if a client wants a sunset over the mountains, it's not going to happen if you live in Florida.

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Dec 6, 2013 10:21:45   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
lorenww wrote:
If I am designing a website, this is one of my first stops for images.
http://www.sxc.hu/

Pretty much everything is free unless you plan to resell.
Granted, using your own photos is best but if a client wants a sunset over the mountains, it's not going to happen if you live in Florida.

Thanks for the link.

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