A good picture is worth a thousand words, so the saying goes. Well with the modern twist, you could also add to that thousands of likes, shares, and possibly dollars. The internet is a medium which puts visual content in the spotlight, and when it is utilized in stellar storytelling, the results are spectacular. A compelling photo draws people in and leaves a lasting impression, but we cannot just use other people’s creations as we please. In fact, this careless practice could face you with serious legal consequences.
Down by Law
Although a common sense suggests that people should be happy about gaining exposure, this is a way more complex issue. Some owners might be flattered by the notion of others displaying their work, but be assured that a bulk of them will be dismayed, even outraged. Something like this does not only cause unpleasantness, it is also illegal: You put yourself at unnecessary risk of DMCA site takedown or “cease and desist”.
The copyright laws are still behind the fast-paced practice, but they do protect people from abusing online photos. So, a person who took the photo or crafted a graphic owns the copyright. This involves freedom to assume full control over the photo and decide where it will be published or not. On the other hand, the owner of the site that uses copyrighted photos is always responsible for infringement.
Fair and Square
Therefore, the only way to use the photo in a safe manner is to ask the author for an explicit permission. It is important to understand that the different uses of the images are linked to varying obligations. When you secure a permission to put the photo on a blog that does not mean you are free to attach it to a newsletter as well. Also, get familiar with the concept of fair use: In theory, it allows you to take advantage of photos on the internet, albeit in practice this is far trickier.
Now, there is also a third way —free images. Despite the surmise that free stuff is of low quality and generic appeal, we are talking about millions of high-quality graphics and striking photos here. One can find vast sources of free images on the internet— just take Morgue File or Flickr as an example. They curate works that belong to the public domain, and allow users to upload their online photos.
The Common Ground
There are also some excellent tools in the league of Bulkr that let you bulk download flick photos and simplify the whole process. And make no mistake about it: You may use everything you find here in whichever way you deem appropriate, and in most cases even without including attribution. Finally, you can turn to other websites that permit the download of images under the condition of providing attribution.
Most of them utilize Creative Commons Licenses, and come in handy for a wide array of purposes. However, bear in mind that after you acquire the photo, the owner can attempt to change the license, and demand removal. The Creative Commons License itself is non-revocable, even if explaining that to some people can be a tedious process. So, with these versatile resources, there is not a single reason to throw caution to the wind.
Rules of the Game
Never assume that other people will be fine with you exploiting their assets. On the contrary, you are better off taking each and every image as copyrighted. It costs you nothing to ask the owner for permission and stay on the safe side. Most people are reasonable and happy to share online photos. And if they say no, it is not the end of the road for you. Move on and find more willing authors or public domain libraries. In any event, you do not get to decide the rules, as they are already firmly established.
Raul is a B.Sc. in Innovative entrepreneurship and has a lot to say about innovations in all aspects of digital technology and online marketing. While he’s not enjoying football and great food, you can find him on Technivorz.com
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