Ok a little hazy here so help me out plz... the tos on major brandname sites say something like "you are prohibited from using any material (including duplication, modification, uploading, presentation, transmission, distribution, licensing, sales and publication) by the "Copyright Laws" except for non-commercial and personal purposes." My question...is a review blog with ypn/adsense considered a non-commercial purpose? How high is the risk of losing your adsense/ypn account for placing it on a product review blog using photos of this nature? Finally, any suggestions on where to get free to use pictures of consumer products? tyty
If you're trying to earn money there, and you're not registered as a nonprofit, then it's generally a commercial purpose. You're better off asking for permission rather than assuming it'll be ok. As for consumer products, it's easy. Just go to the manufacturer's website. If it's a reasonably large company, they should have a press room, media kit, or something similar set up where they provide product images for journalists and reviewers. If not, contact the company. I've never had one refuse to give one for a review. If you physically have the product, because it's for a review you're pretty much safe in scanning a cover or taking your own photograph within fair use rules.