I recently started a news website and am wondering about the legality of taking an image from say CNN and using it on my site. Is this legal? I know that the principle of fair use allows the use of copyright images for reporting of news but what this means exactly is unclear. The info available online is confusing and often contradictory. If anyone knows what is allowed and what isn't your advice would be most appreciated. I am also keen to hear from others who run news sites/Write news articles about their experiences sourcing and using relevant images. Thanks James
Hello, This is not allowed because Cnn and other newsmakers are also buying pictures for just using on their site. Displaying an rss feed is not a problem, the rest is risky business and believe me, sooner or later they gonna find you. Sorry to bring the bad news, been there also
Thats kinda what I thought. Having said that I think you are on safer ground when using images directly from a source, for example the White house website because you are not competing with them and the image in necessary to properly report the event.
Photo's frrom there are also copyrighted, you should ask the photographer of company he or she resorts under.
You are correct about the Whitehouse.gov being a good source for copyright free materials, but not for the reason you cite. It is not because they are not competing with news sites, it is pursuant to Federal Law. You are wrong. (I don't know why people who don't know the facts post answers to questions like this. It is so easy to check before you post if you are not sure. Don't guess and make a fool of yourself.) Here are the facts about the Whitehouse.gov (and many US government websites for that matter) http://www.whitehouse.gov/copyright/ So pretty much, unless it specifically says otherwise, anything on the Whitehouse.gov can be used.