Legalities of photoshopping an image?

[Oakey]

Let's say someone took two seperate images of two people from a book, then Photoshopped them to make it look like they were stood together in a humourous way (nothing obscene or anything sick, etc), similar to all the Photoshops we've seen on this forum over the years. Then posted that on Facebook. Then the author of said book sees the finished image, has the image removed and threatens legal action. Pissing in the wind or genuine concern for the Photoshopper? I should point out this wasn't for commercial use.

Edited by Oakey on Saturday 15th October 12:46

[Gemm]

Technically, if the images are from a publication, then there are always small prints stating that no part of it can be reproduced, etc. without permission. So I believe the author has the right to ask you to remove it. I think you may be lucky that he/she is asking you to remove it rather than just sending you the bill. But in reality, it is true that most of these cases are overlooked.

[Oakey]

And realistically what would the bill be?

[Gemm]

Well, I'm not saying you are legally liable for payment but I know some photographers would send you the bill straight away. I think it's totally up to the photographer/author how much though.

[Oakey]

I understand it has to be a realistic valuation. And bearing in mind their actual image wasn't used, just two people from two photos that contained a large group of people.

I mean, I recently posted a Photoshop on here of Rupert the Bear (as did many others) it'd be like being threatened for that.

[Famous Graham]

Seeing as how Facebook grab ownership of any content posted on there, point them at Mr Zuckerberg