Is using this content illegal?

I'm making a fan site of various TV shows where I have episode lists grouped into series, where I put a description of the episode and a screenshot, once I have time I plan to watch episodes and write my own desc to put alongside the official one (if no official then taken from wikipedia).

To be clear, I'm not trying to rip off content to make money from, I'm learning PHP/MySQL and decided to do this to help me learn so I started making a CMS for it, which I will keep expanding and re-writing until it's a good standard of code(when I've practically finished learning PHP).

As fan site licenses (or licensed content) is pretty much limited to a hand full of video games, would it be possible for me to claim fair dealing (in Scotland where I'm creating this from) and/or fair use (in the US where my site is hosted) as at least some of the content is copyrighted (the images) although I'm sure they wouldn't care about the text but you never know.

Also how would this be viewed by Google if one day I decided to put some AdSense on there? (typically I put AdSense on all my sites now)

EDIT: omfg forgot to include link... www.itvdb.info

Thanks,
Scot

 

If the episodes are offered up for embedding, like as in Hulu, then there is no problem. If you are taking them from somewhere that is not authorized to show them, or uploading them from your own collection, that is infringement and punishable...even in Scotland.

 

I'm not embedding them (although that was the original idea of the site) it's just information regarding them. The content I'm referring to is the images/screenshots

 

Why don't you send an email to the legal departments of the specific sites you want to establish the fan site of? Let them know you are making a fan site out of it so you can promote their shows.

 

Thanks, I'll start contacting them. I'd asked South Park but no reply as of yet

EDIT: After reading the ToU of Fox websites I've emailed them (regarding The Simpsons, Futurama, Family Guy, American Dad) although it doesn't look too good..
http://animatedtv.about.com/od/foxnetwork/i/foxfans_2.htm

 

In some cases, and in some countries, even linking to pirated videos can be illegal. That's how they close all those torrent sites and I've heard of some "online streaming" video sites being closed too.

With that being said, it's all about how your site is structured, Google links to illegal downloads too, but you can't compare it to "The Pirate Bay" where the owners clearly understand that their system is being used to promote copyrighted content and they are not doing anything about it or even allow the owners of the content to request for its removal - like Megaupload for example.

 

i suggest u to do what hostlonestar said

 

Honestly, I don't think anyone will give a crap. No one making millions and in their right mind will go after small websites. They have more important business to do, like figuring out how to stop spending billions a year for useless advertising

 

People who make millions, want to make billions and it would cost them nothing to make an example out of someone since the lawyers are already on staff and getting paid. Shows how much you truly understand.
Advertising is not useless, it is the reason for the programming. Radio, and TV are not there for your enjoyment, they are there to advertise to you...the programming is to keep you tuned in...that's why they call them "Advertising Mediums", and there is big money on the line from major corporations that pay for that programming.

You can't just take it and use it for what ever purposes you want, unless they give consent or permission. Otherwise , make your own content.

 

Look here... http://animatedtv.about.com/od/foxnetwork/i/foxfans_2.htm
Fox goes after such small sites, who in essence are just promoting the show
Matt and Trey of South Park don't mind people downloading their stuff because they want people to see it, but are obligated under contract bringing legal limitations.

 

I recommend you not to upload any copyright content on your hosting, because in certain days, you'll be go into the jail.

Try to upload it at Youtube or the others and watch the movie from your site (It's better)

 

Why don't people actually read the post? Again, the content I'm referring to is images...

 

all those images ARE copyrighted so if you want to use them you need to pay a licence (RM or RF or others) via a macrostock or microstock agency.

fair use only applies to USA and in any case is only for NON commercial stuff.

 

why it's so hard for you guys to understand that you have NO RIGHT whatsoever about recycling or stealing content you see on a web page ?

can i steal your car ? or your girlfriend ?

 

unfortunately the answer is no, that's sad.

 

exactly, so why then it should be OK to steal my travel pictures ?

at least i make pictures and thus i can watermark, what about article writers who get their articles stolen and their name erased or even changed with somebody else ?

you guys are just recyclers, the lowest and smallest wheel of the system.
when and if one day you'll produce something worthy you'll agree with me.

 

I'm not trying to claim the content as my own or whatever, I just want to make a fan site, it's not the same as ripping off articles for profit etc.

Still no reply from Fox or SP as of this date

 

hey buddy.. piracy is a big big crime.. if sm1 is caught doin it..he has to pay a lot for he sin... and also i feel No one making millions and in their right mind will go after small websites.. its better that he/she stays aup for his/her work only not waste time on sites like these...

 

bhatia, Fox DOES go after small sites.....you have no idea what you are talking about.

 

The Big 5 Fox, Universal, Sony , Warner brothers , Paramount DO go after small sites, I have seen many sites showing simpsons episodes and family guy episodes going down