If I am creating gif images from videos, movies, TV shows and distribute them, would that be illegal?
It doesn't get any more illegal than that.... Specially under the DMCA, it means jail time in some cases...
ok so it means that even if its only few screens from the video, still it's going to be illegal. What can be defined as the fair use? If I use some stills from the video?
There is no fair use when using copy written material for re-distribution, or profit without the owners consent. None......AT ALL! ZILCH!!! NADA!!!! IF you own the material (purchased it), you can alter it and use it for personal reasons, but you can't re use it for commercial reasons.
Thanks hmansfield for the reply. I have same question in another form. If the stills are being used for reporting purposes (let say in articles)? It's not being distributed. ya, but is displayed on the site.
Well....in that case it is best to use the photos that are meant for promotional purposes. I do the exact same thing, but the photos, cd covers, podcasts, music clips, etc, are submitted to me for promotional purposes. For instance..I will load a podcast from an artist that was submitted as promotional, but I would never take a clip from an album, and place it in a post. I also use You Tube videos of the music that I promote and write about, but it has already been submitted for public use through You Tube. You can't just take anything you want and use it, even if you are writing or reporting about it. You have to either get permission, or use the materials that are for that purpose. At first you made it seem as if you were just taking movie clips and making gifs and just distributing them wildly like a hooker slinging booty in a crack house. That will get you put in jail, but for promotions, you have to use what they have intended for that purpose and you will be OK. (Shameful plug coming) check out my blog, it is mostly promotional stuff, but I never just use what ever I want. You have to respect the artist, and their rights.
Thanks mate, one questions though. How do you make sure that youtube videos of the music is for public use? There is so much illegal stuff on YouTube. It's hard to figure out.
If it's on You Tube, it's public. That's their problem to figure it out. If they take it down, your link, or code won't work any way. Some posters will request that the video not be embedded, and you will not have the option of the code, but, Google is the God of the web. If they have it, it's fair game...they even encourage it. Just make sure you get it directly from the main site. They pay their fees to the appropriate agencies, and as a user you are merely an extension of the main website. You are never really hosting the video on your site. Hell....if you can break a bootleg copy of something from You Tube, before it is taken down, it will probably give you a traffic boost for a while.