Image Copyrights

I run a tech blog.

Here's my problem.

I know ripping images from a site is wrong and i've stopped that.

Now I like to talk about gadgets and in most of my posts it would be really nice to show a picture.

But I'm dealing with huge companies and my timeline to ask for permission is really short.

i.e. like most of you I think of what I want to write about, then I write it and post it.

So while I'm waiting for permission that post is on hold. I just don't think people enjoy reading pure text.

I have e-mailed companies before with no response.

So how can I use legal images of new gadgets or logos etc.

I know about the Fair Use act being used for not-for-profit, or educational organizations.

I have adsense so does that exclude me.

Please help.

Skinny

 

That's the thing.

I'm not selling any product. I'm just blogging about them. How it looks, the technology involved etc.

And I can't buy every item I wish to talk about (Though believe me I wish I could)

So I'm not selling items, but I do have adsense.

Skinny

 

Take a snapshot at some store.

 

Use the images of the gadgets and use the alt-tag and a caption to give credit to the parent site and / or company. On your Privacy, TOS, and/or Contact Us page(s), put in a "disclaimer statement" that if a copyright owner wishes to have an image removed or credited differently, contact the webmaster ...

 

Or you can do it the legal way fairly easily - most of these sites have a press relations area. You are now a member of the press, so you can download press releases that may be reproduced for critical purposes - like blogs - and that often includes photos. Likewise companies generally respond quickly to press requests and not to photo / copyright requests! Most photos they use are free for critical use. I do agree that you should have a note in the TOS but if someone REALLY gets mad, it is still against the law to use copyrighted works with a disclaimer. What they can do as reprisal is another question which I hope I never need to learn!

 

Member of the Press . . . I like it.

I never thought of that.

If anyone wants to still reply I am watching this thread.

Skinny

 

I believe if you use Amazon images and you are an affiliate you are OK to use the shots.

 

For the press release. Can anyone give me a general idea of what that e-mail should contain or how it should look?

Skinny

 

That is true:

 

Hmm.. i suggest what you can try now is get a camera and snapshot things of your interest. Like mine one, i borrow other camera snapshot a camera.

But sometime, if you want a photo from let say a website that is showing it, maybe what you do before ripping, ask permission from them 1st. I think some would be glad to share with you.

 

As far as logos go, there's no clear answer. However, there's an article that addresses some key points at http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/magazine/writing/lawyer_logos.html (I don't know what the policy with posting urls is on this board but it seems appropriate here).

My guess (not legal advice) is that using logos in conjunction with product reviews would be ok as long as the use of the logo is not confusing (i.e. you couldn't pretend that you are working on behalf of the company). I believe that would be fair use.

 

Why don't you just use other peoples pictures from sites then send them an email saying you are using their pictures and put on a free link to their product. Nobody would mind, hell i wouldn,t if you want to write about some designer clothes go to my site and add a link to my site! www.lookthebiz.co.uk