Google Images?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by dollarman, Dec 28, 2006.

  1. #1
    Is it legal to use images found on Google Images on my site?

    Thank you.
     
    dollarman, Dec 28, 2006 IP
  2. max pain

    max pain Notable Member

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    #2
    I am assuming that you mean "googles image search".. the images displayed belong to particular sites ( and not to google )themselves.. so their might be a copyright issue involved with most of them
     
    max pain, Dec 28, 2006 IP
  3. dollarman

    dollarman Banned

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    #3
    Where can I find images that I can use on my website without any copyright issues?
     
    dollarman, Dec 28, 2006 IP
  4. max pain

    max pain Notable Member

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    #4
    max pain, Dec 28, 2006 IP
  5. Aceday

    Aceday Banned

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    #5
    Well some of the images have copyright on them and jus because u got them from google images, im a afraid the law stays the same
     
    Aceday, Dec 28, 2006 IP
  6. dollarman

    dollarman Banned

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    #6
    How do I know if some images have copyrights on them? Some images appear on different sites, but are the same image. Can I put something like "If the image is violating any copyright laws, please email me so it can be removed" in the footer of the website?
     
    dollarman, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  7. max pain

    max pain Notable Member

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    #7
    Images that appear on a public domain are copyright free - while using the others - its a legal risk you would be taking.
     
    max pain, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  8. dollarman

    dollarman Banned

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    #8
    Whats public domain?

    Would it be OK if I credited the sites I got the image from?
     
    dollarman, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  9. max pain

    max pain Notable Member

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    #9
    "public domain" eg are sites like wikipedia

    Credits are fine.. but the question is would you like your copyrighted content used by someone else.. I am not against you using it - there are many who do the same thing and get away with it - but a few do get caught and you sleep with the fear that you might be amongst the next few :(
     
    max pain, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  10. dollarman

    dollarman Banned

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    #10
    The thing is, its hard to tell which images are copyrighted (for what I have in mind).

    Whats the worst that can happen? My site will get shut down? Can I get sued?
     
    dollarman, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  11. LegendaryPosting

    LegendaryPosting Peon

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    #11
    dont owrry about that if you take your time to put together a quality website when ever you find a picture you like send them an email and ask if you can include it in your site. They will get back to you in a day or so!
     
    LegendaryPosting, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  12. Crusader

    Crusader Peon

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    #12
    For all intents and purposes all images are copyrighted unless it explicitly states that the image is in the public domain. As soon as someone takes a photo or finishes a drawing the copyright of that image belongs to them. Images that are found in Google image search should accordingly be viewed as copyrighted material, and should not be used without obtaining permission before using them

    A disclaimer like that doesn't hold any water. You are responsible for all content that you use on your site. That means that you have to have permission to use the images. Regardless of the disclaimer, you would still be in copyright violation. It's not up to the copyright holders to track you down and prevent you from using their images (although those that do track you down will definitely take further action)... you need to obtain permission before using the images.


    The simple answer is: Yes. Copyright holders can lodge a DMCA complaint against your site with search engines as well as your web host. These can get your site removed from SE listings and can get your site taken down.

    Depending on the images and the willingness of the copyright holder you can also get sued. As far as I know the maximum amount you can be sued for is $150 000 per image. That's not to say that they will succeed or get the maximum amount. You just have to ask yourself if the risk is worth it.
     
    Crusader, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  13. -YaYa-

    -YaYa- Guest

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    #13
    Stockphotos are the best way to avoid copyright issues. www.istockphoto.com is a good one.
     
    -YaYa-, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  14. tke71709

    tke71709 Peon

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    #14
    Wrong...

    The fact that a photo appears on wikipedia does not mean that they are in the public domain. It simply means that the person who uploaded it to Wikipedia stated that it was.

    If you want photos that you're sure about, you need to buy them from reputable companies like istockphoto, etc...
     
    tke71709, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  15. max pain

    max pain Notable Member

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    #15
    dude read the whole thread before deriving conclusions :rolleyes:

    He asked what a public domain was - and thats the example of one

    here I have already explained about various sources of getting pics/photo's already.
     
    max pain, Dec 29, 2006 IP
  16. Muller2

    Muller2 Peon

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    #16
    Yes, the images are copyrighted to their owners. Google just displays the images that it finds and the owner of a website can stop their images from being displayed via Google, by using the robots.txt file.
     
    Muller2, Dec 31, 2006 IP
  17. tips

    tips Peon

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    #17
    Try a site like istockphoto.com. They offer $1 stock images that you can use on your sites.
     
    tips, Dec 31, 2006 IP
  18. tke71709

    tke71709 Peon

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    #18
    First of all, there is no such thing as "a public domain".

    Public domain has to do with the copyright status of an item, some items on wikipedia may be in the public domain and some (perhaps many) are not.

    Suggesting that taking something off Wikipedia would protect the OP from copyright issues is irresponsible and again, wrong.
     
    tke71709, Jan 2, 2007 IP
  19. browntwn

    browntwn Illustrious Member

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    #19
    You are 100% correct.

    There is so much BAD information spread on DP, especially on legal issues. Frankly, there is more incorrect information passed on than correct.

    You get what you pay for with free advice.
     
    browntwn, Jan 4, 2007 IP
  20. max pain

    max pain Notable Member

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    #20
    Good to know that we have lawyers here :D

    OK I never asked him to copy any content in the first place.. As for the "public domain" scenario plz feel free to express whatever you like..

    This explains a lot about wiki http://c63.be/wikigov/

    and this sums it up

     
    max pain, Jan 5, 2007 IP
    browntwn likes this.