Am I Breaking Any Laws?.......

[Ring Tone]

Hey Guys,

If I found a picture on the web that I wanted to use on my website, am I breaking any laws by adding that pic to my site?

Thanks

Ring Tone

[carsey]

Depends if there is copyright upon the picture and their copyright statement.

[Ring Tone]

There's no copyright on or in the picture properties. With the stuff that's going on these days, i just want to make sure I don't get hit with a copyright infringement suit.

How can I make sure the picture is not copyrighted?

[koala]

Contact the admin of the website you find the photos on. They might be stock, copyright-free photos which are free for anyone to use, or owned by the website, in which case there might be a small charge.

[Ring Tone]

Hey Kaola,

Thank you so much for the info, I truly appreciate it.

[damen]

just as a side note - whether or not there is any copyright notice is irrelevant - by default (at least in the US) EVERYTHING is automatically copyrighted, whether or not the owner goes through the "official" copyright process. If I take a picture and post it to the web, it is copyrighted - same goes for any blogs I write or anything else along those lines.

That doesnt mean you cant use it - as koala mentioned there are free "stock" pictures all over the place - you just need to make sure you have the owners permission.

[Ring Tone]

If a picture is on a website, it is safe to say that the picture is owned by the owner of that site?

What if that guy say it is cool to use it and it don't even belong to him?

[damen]

if the conversation with the site owner is via email, keep a copy of all the emails. That way, should the real owner come after you, you can at least show that you made a good faith attempt to get permission. You would still probably have to pull the image, in that case, unless you got permission from the real owner.

[gistek]

This also applies to modified images. Don't think photoshopping a few elements in the pic will get you out of a copyright violation. Depending on your edits, you could end up in even more trouble.

[eagledrc]

so sexist!!!!!
what if there are girls here!!!!!!!
haha that was a mockery...
political correctness is overrated

[carsey]

Wrong post by any chance??

:

[eagledrc]

naw i was replying to the "hey guys"
sorry lol

[DonaldG]

Copyright; Oft misunderstood or subject to urban myth!

When I did my Institute of British Photographers (IBP) Exams yonks ago, Copyright was a subject. If I remember correctly the gist of it is simple.

Every created work of art or written tracts IS COPYRIGHT to someone when it is created. Period. You do not have to register or declare such a work as copyright, it is AUTOMATICALLY copyrighted the moment it is created.

Who owns the copyright is another matter and not always easily defined.

Generally, but not always, the person who pays for the work to be created owns the copyright.

EG:
I take a photo of my own volition, in my own time = my copyright
I take a photo whilst working as a photographer for an aircraft company in company time = Company's copyright
I take a photo of an object on request by anyone else & not paid to do so = My Copyright.
I take a photo of an object on request or commission by someone else and PAID to do so = Payer's Copyright.

Caveat: The above is only a general rule of thumb and any of the points can be altered if a contract, verbal or written, exists that confers the copyright to someone else.

Only the owner of the copyright can convey the right to use or transfer of that copyright to another person.

There is also a statute of limitation on copyright which I believe is 50 years AFTER the death of the author

Again, as a general rule of thumb, every image, graphic and written text on Internet MUST be assumed to be copyright unless there is a clearly written statement waiving such copyright.

If you see an image or graphic on the net that you wish to use, often a quick email to the owner requesting it's use for amateur/charity/club purposes will result in a positive reply at no cost (it is a simple courtesy)

Couple of examples of copyright transfer/ownership:
Case 1) I took a about 150 photos of the US Air Attaché at an event in the UK - I sent him a CD stating myself as copyright holder but giving USAF unrestricted usage of any image free of charge. Result = my copyright, they can use as if their copyright without payment or reference to me.

Case 2) I wrote some communications control software for USGS at San Diego State, on request. As it was a research project tracking an endangered snake I did it free of charge. I gave them licence to use for that particular project. Result = My copyright, they had unrestricted use on that particular project only.

Case 3) On my own volition, I took a photo of a WW1 bi-plane being refuelled by a BP Tanker. I wanted to submit it to BP as an advert photo. My company, Beagle Aircraft claimed copyright because I did it on their time. Result = no permission to submit allowed.

Case 4) I wanted 4 photos of a certain village to put onto a website for a Club. I wrote to the copyright holder, explaining the usage and in the post a few days later, were 4 photos together with a letter of authority to use on that website. No charge. (I used the photos and gave a credit on the web page)

Copyright laws seem to be the same/similar across the world (except China?) but how are they to be policed? Difficult one! Cost vs effect!