Hey, Will I get in trouble for using images I find on the internet (hosting them on my own server + adding watermark for my site) but still giving credit to the site I found it on (linking back) and providing an email address for anyone who wants an image from their website removed? I just don't want to go through the whole process of emailing every webmaster and asking because it would be a hassle emailing just for one image. Thoughts?
No, it's not OK. It's like stealing the contents of someone's house, placing it in your house but with a note saying "not mine". It's not cool, illegal and bad.
It depends whether the image you are "copying" has got royalties or not. I mean, there are pictures that are free to reproduce and others that you cannot reproduce without the written authorization of the owner of the digital rights. It is virtually possible to copy an image and put it on your page, but that does not mean that you are authorized for this, for instance you can be sued for copyright infringement. To know if you can use an image, always ask the owner's permission especially if you are making a website for a company or anyway for professional use. Same thing applies for personal websites as well, depending on the content you are displaying. Special care if you are dealing with adult material must be given, because you can get into serious trouble. To own the rights to display an image (i.e. , to purchase rights) or to find out royalty free pictures, check out this websites for instance: www.istockphoto.com www.sxc.hu (disclaimer: I am not endorsed to any of these sites - just suggesting the ones I have used in my experience ) they are cheap and easy to use - just give them a try or you can google for royalty free pictures, clipart, and check the results. Feel free to ask if there are further doubts! This is an important matter imho and I'm happy that aroused here! Cheers, Falco
If you go surfing the net and grab whatever pictures you would like to use, you face the possibility of lawsuits for copyright violation. If you are in the USA, you can use pictures that are in the public domain. You can use pictures that you take, but if you took a picture of someone without their permission and signed release you could face legal issues. You can use pictures that are owned by others if you either buy them or obtain rights or license.
Giving credit isn't a license to steal. Try that with some company's images (Getty comes to mind) and see how fast you get a bill for hundreds or thousands of dollars. It's not rocket science. Here's the simple test. If the owner of the item doesn't tell you that it's okay to use, then don't use it. Search for royalty free pictures and buy them. If you are going for public domain stuff, make sure you get them from an official source, because you'll be 100% liable for their use if they aren't public domain.
Yea, but then intellectual property lawyers would have far less business and make far less money. People not following that rule are easy prey.