I recently read an article about a blogger who was fined a crap load of money for using a picture of google images. She linked the picture back to the artist and didn't take any credit for it. Needless to say I am scared to use any picture that I didn't take with my own camera. I've tried the copyright free data banks of photos online but it's just not worth it to me to sort through all the nasty pictures in there.
You can read the article
here.
What are your experiences? Do you exclusively use your own photos? Have you run into any problems? Any tips on finding good pictures that are copyright free?
By the way, I am missing warm beach weather! Take me back to San Diego!!
i love these pics you took! that scares me, i do it, mostly with gifs eek. what is the link to the article
ReplyDeleteJust found the article and included it in the post :)
Deletehttp://www.roniloren.com/blog/2012/7/20/bloggers-beware-you-can-get-sued-for-using-pics-on-your-blog.html
I want to read this article, too! It always makes me a little nervous. I try to get back to the original source of whatever I post and source it from there. Luckily, I have a future patent/copyright attorney for a husband, sooo...at least I'll have a good lawyer. :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.roniloren.com/blog/2012/7/20/bloggers-beware-you-can-get-sued-for-using-pics-on-your-blog.html
DeleteGood thing for husbands to save our backs!
I LOVE San Diego's weather! I wanna go back NOW!
ReplyDeleteI've nominated you and your blog for the Liebster Blog Award! See my blog for more info! Congrats!
Liebster Blog Award
Lisette
That's scary! Especially if she gave them credit for the image she used. I am not an expert on copyright laws, but usually the person will contact you first before they sue! I have never made any money of using someone else's image though. I would hope someone would be flattered instead of suing! I know I would be!!
ReplyDeleteI would imagine most would notify you but it seems like a lot end up suing anyways. Scary stuff! I would feel flattered too, as long as they weren't making money off my photo.
DeleteThis is really scary! I wrote a similar post about how Pinterest can get you sued and it's not as black and white as people think. http://designfluff.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-owning-pinterest-board-may-make-you.html
ReplyDeleteA lot of lawyers don't agree on the interpretation of the law, so there is a lot of confusion for simple lay people. I know I took down the Pinterest boards I had that were strictly photograper type photos, like photos of exotic locales.
I'm still pretty clueless. Thank you for sharing! I really wish more bloggers would discuss this! Maybe we could finally get some solutions.
One thing that bothers me is that people are so fast to sue. I'm sure most people would be more than happy to comply with a simple request or warning!
Holy moly! Now I'm afraid to use Pinterest! Eek!
DeleteIf it's like scenery or something like that, I only use my own. If I am doing a Pinterest inspired post, I always link back to the site, which is usually a DIY/Food blog, not a photography site... Maybe it doesn't make a difference, but I think it does. I also try to watermark my photos when I post them, so I don't run into someone trying to steal credit for mine. Watermarks can be annoying, but I like to be safe instead of sorry.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely better to be safe than sorry. I would imagine scenic images are one of biggest copyright issues.
DeleteI always use pictures from Google, yikes! I have never even considered this, I wil have to check out the article.
ReplyDeleteAs far as San Diego, I want to go back and visit too! My sister is at USD and I need to go visit the warm beaches
Myranda
www.prettylivingpdx.com
San Diego is heavenly! You definitely need to go pay her a visit. You deserve it!
DeleteThis is such an interesting topic and something that more bloggers need to be aware of. I rarely use other people's photos, but when I do I try to take it from Flickr's Creative Commons database (though sometimes I don't!). I'll be sharing this cautionary tale with some of my readers. Thank you for the link to that blog post!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely an interesting one and one that is so overlooked!
Deletethat is so weird! I always thought it was ok as long as you gave credit and linked back! But now I am going to be so much more careful. Thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteI originally thought so as well! No problem!
DeleteI've always used only my own photos...or pictures taken by my little brother, because I know he won't sue me! I'm a pretty big believer in the idea that it's not only safer as far as copyrights, but it's better for your blog to use only original pictures.
ReplyDeleteSmart woman! I totally agree!
DeleteSorry Kel but I've nominated you for the Leibster award!! How many is that now?? Lol no need to answer tho I totally understand! Haha! Love the pics - thanks for the advice about the pics! I do use a google image very rarely on my blog! Now I won't! :)
ReplyDeleteHehehe :) Thank you so much! You are so sweet.
DeleteI try to take my own because I don't want to handle any of that junk. And that gorilla looks so pleasant :) If that's what CA has to offer I would never complain!
ReplyDeleteHeck yeah. I always try to avoid being sued if at all possible. ;)
DeleteThat gorilla was such a delight. I just wanted to go spoon him. Hahaha!
That is kinda scary. I always link my source for the pictures I use, but shesh! Gotta be super careful.
ReplyDeleteDalayna