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Book review website - can I use book cover images?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by jj1, Jun 22, 2010.

  1. #1
    I will be designing a book review website for a client where he will be writing book reviews (both favourable and unfavourable) of novels in his genre.

    Can we legally use an image of the book cover (downloaded from somewhere like Amazon) to make our site seem more attractive or do the publishers retain copyright of this image?

    I have seen other review sites that use book cover images but am not sure of the legalities.
     
    jj1, Jun 22, 2010 IP
  2. etali

    etali Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Using the book cover as part of a review would constitute fair use. You're allowd to replicate a small percentage of the text too - for example, to quote a small snippet from a chapter if it's especially interesting. What you're not allowed to do is copy huge chunks of the book.

    You can see some examples of what is, and is not, fair use, here:

    http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/9-c.html
     
    etali, Jun 22, 2010 IP
    jj1 likes this.
  3. darkrider919

    darkrider919 Peon

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    #3
    it's ok to use the cover image of the book because you are just showing it to the readers what exactly that book looks like. You can also add a short caption under the book cover image the source/website where you copied it. you will only get in trouble if you are owning others work.
     
    darkrider919, Jun 22, 2010 IP
  4. alyssaSEO

    alyssaSEO Greenhorn

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    #4
    It will be good to use a cover image.
     
    alyssaSEO, Jun 22, 2010 IP
  5. kindsvater

    kindsvater Well-Known Member

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    #5
    You're fine as you need to show what it is you are reviewing. Same would apply to any product being reviewed, such as cars, computers, etc.
     
    kindsvater, Jun 22, 2010 IP
  6. jj1

    jj1 Active Member

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    #6
    Many thanks all for helpful replies. I'll pass info back to client.
     
    jj1, Jun 24, 2010 IP
  7. fharez89

    fharez89 Peon

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    #7
    same as the list of library names, year, title
     
    fharez89, Jun 28, 2010 IP