Title says it all... I basically want to create an elaborate squeeze page for a video game niche, with graphics, pics, and lots of other fancy do-dads. But I am afraid to take graphics and pics from some of the big name websites due to copyright laws. Because of my fear of being sued, I contacted a website owner that has a page similar to the one I want to create and he told me he got his pictures from the public domain; meaning he did not have to worry about copyright issues or anything like that. So, what does this "public domain" phrase mean. I have head it before, but never paid any attention to it. And, where can I find this public domain....I know I sound like a complete newb, but I really have no clue about this. Any advice or help would be appreciated! Thanks Guys. -----Edit Below This Line------- ------------------------ Heres the Message I got from Him The pictures on our website are in the public domain and can be re-used freely (to some extent of course). You can find many user submitted screen shots in the public domain by doing a search on your favorite search engine. Pictures such as those are not copy righted. --------------------------- I understand what it basically means, but when I do a search for a game, I come to that game's website, and that website has a page filled with fine print, and that fine print talks bout the content of the site and how it is copyrighted. So, therein lies the dilemma, what in the hell is the "public domain" ?
Some links and reading material; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_photography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royalty_free http://www.sxc.hu/ http://www.istockphoto.com/ http://www.jupiterimages.com/ Hope that helps
it helps somewhat. But it doesn't really specify where I can get these types of photos. Do I just do a google search like that guy said.....or do I have to look somewhere else.
The best way to deal with this would be to create your own artwork. This can be done one of two ways. You could actually draw your own version of the characters (common in the anime world). Or, you could use existing images and create your own collages. This is common with fan sites for games. You might also be able to use the pictures if you credit the source. For example: image copyright 2007 awesome gameland .... or something to that effect. You could also just ask for permission. Tell them that you are making a fan site and see what they say. Making your own collages though would be your best bet. If you can't do it yourself, ask around here or make the site live without many images and ask the users to create their own artwork and submit it. They would be flattered to see their work on their new favorite site. p.s. what's the game?
Okay thanks, that helps a bit more. However, I am not artististic so I think the collage idea is out. It's not one game, but a game niche. An entire area of gaming that I intend to get in on. Thanks for the ideas, but I really don't think newly created artwork would appeal to my target audience. From what I am seeing, they want fresh, vibrant images, and great graphics of the most recent games ( I would update the pics on the squeeze page monthly). I'm not saying it's a bad idea, it's just that it wouldn't work in this avenue. I may try asking for permission or just using the copyright phrase....either or. Thanks for the advice though, its much appreciated.