Have you ever wondered if it’s OK to download someone else’s photos – and use them on your blog or website?
“Can I download someone else’s photos?” This is a great question which came in from Abdul this week, and the FAST answer is , “No! It’s not OK!”
This is STEALING and COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, both of which come with hefty fines when caught.
Before downloading any image on the internet, I always ask my clients to ask themselves three questions, which are:
- are you the owner of the copyright on this image?
- have you been given Authority to download the image by the owner of the copyright of this image, and authority to use it on your blog?
- can you provide evidence that you have the Authority to download this particular image (or any other image) from the internet, and can show written authority to use it on your blog?
If you answer, “No.” to any of the questions, you do not have the right to download and use it.
Image technology is very clever these days and can find illegal use of someone else’s images.
I have known several people who have been fined from hundreds to thousands of dollars (in several cases it was $45,000 and more) for illegal use of someone else’s image.
I ask my clients, “Do you have the money to pay the fine for Copyright Infringement on ONE image? What if there are more images? Can you afford to be caught?”
So far they have all said that they could not afford this.
Use common sense – and make your own images.
- If you want images of local businesses, ASK them if it’s OK to feature them on your website.
- If you would like to use images you’ve seen online, CONTACT the owner, photographer, website Manager etc etc — ASK for permission, and explain how they will be used.
Turn it into a win-win situations for your both.
Make your own images by visiting the legitimate websites where it’s OK to download these images, blend them together with some simple image editing tools, make them unique for your own use.
There are wonderful websites online where images can be downloaded without getting into trouble.
Go to :
- Unsplash.com
- http://Pixabay.com
- or http://Pexels.com
- here is a long list of many more options:
The images you need to look for must be:
- royalty-free
- license-free
- AND copyright-free so they’re able to be used on your website.
When you go to some of these sites like Pixabay (for example), the site is supported by advertising, so at the top of the screen, the first row is sponsored by Shutterstock, and there may be other rows of images further down also sponsored by Shutterstock (where images can be bought).
Check each image’s licence use, CC Creative Commons is the best practice and totally 100% safe.
Have fun!
If youhave any other questions, please:
- post a Comment below
- or send me an email here >>
- or post a Comment on Facebook or YouTube.
OK, time to get back to my Video Test Lab! More soon!
Cheers
Teena Hughes