Copyright question

[robemcdonald]

Are pictures available through google image searches subject to any copyright? I know some images are protected and guess these are copyrighted, but have no idea regarding images that are generally available.

[crmcatee]

Somebody, somewhere will own the copyright to the image. Whether they choose to let you use them gratis is a different story - just because they're publically available doesn't mean that you can copy them and use them without having permission from the owner.

If in doubt - ask.

[PD9]

crmcatee said:

If in doubt - ask.

[robemcdonald]

The problem I have is how do you know who owns the copyright and how do you go about contacting them?

[PD9]

Can you post a link to the picture your looking for?

[tonyvid]

robemcdonald said:

The problem I have is how do you know who owns the copyright and how do you go about contacting them?

I would imagine Google does - whenever you see any of this stuff on TV it always has a "images - google" type watermark on it. If it's a picture of your house, shop, whatever, it won't be you who owns the copyright.

ETA - after reading the OP again, I see what you mean
The poster below me is right, whoever took it generally owns it and you will have to track back through the hosting website to find that out. Google just does the image searching for you and will have nothing to do with the original image.

Edited by tonyvid on Friday 1st May 11:28

[crmcatee]

Generally - the person who took the photograph - owns the copyright.

The image must be hosted somewhere to be viewed on the net - should be relatively easy to find out who owns or operates the webspace where it's being hosted.. e.g. Contact details for a photobucket / Flickr account.

[robemcdonald]

Thanks for the help guys. The reason I asked is I have started producing artwork mainly automotive and based on pics I found online. So far these have just been for me and a couple for friends. I was thinking of seeing if there may be wider interest and maybe trying to sell a few, but I don't want to infringe on anyones copyright.

[tonyvid]

robemcdonald said:

Thanks for the help guys. The reason I asked is I have started producing artwork mainly automotive and based on pics I found online. So far these have just been for me and a couple for friends. I was thinking of seeing if there may be wider interest and maybe trying to sell a few, but I don't want to infringe on anyones copyright.

If it is for your own personal use, you can use them(sort of) but if any work is for commercial gain you really should do it with permision of the original creator. It's the same as if someone sold something using your artwork as a basis for their income.

(By the way, love the Alfa, I always thought they were fab looking and better than my 1.5Ti Sud.)

Edited by tonyvid on Friday 1st May 14:51

[Amy-Lea]

My partner got kicked off Myspace a few years ago for Copy Right infringement the deed, was that he had filmed on his mobile phone a scene out of the Simpson's that he had sky +'d and put the video on his profile!! I would contact google and ask if in doubt!

[tonyvid]

[Thread drift]

Hellllooooooo

[/thread drift]

[Mr Will]

Amy-Lea said:

My partner got kicked off Myspace a few years ago for Copy Right infringement the deed, was that he had filmed on his mobile phone a scene out of the Simpson's that he had sky +'d and put the video on his profile!! I would contact google and ask if in doubt!

No use contacting google, contact the owner of the website you found them on.

Only the person/company who took the photograph can grant you the right to reproduce it.

[ih8thisname]

tonyvid][Thread drift said:

Hellllooooooo

[/thread drift]

Uh-oh...

[tonyvid]

[robemcdonald]

Thanks for the advice guys. Does anyone have an interesting picture I can use (preferably of their car copyright free) so I can show you an example of what I'm doing? No diesel 3 series coupes though.

ps thanks for the comment on the Alfa it's currently off the road undergoing a minor bit of work. Hopefully back for the summer though.

[Justayellowbadge]

robemcdonald said:

Thanks for the advice guys. Does anyone have an interesting picture I can use (preferably of their car copyright free) so I can show you an example of what I'm doing? No diesel 3 series coupes though.

ps thanks for the comment on the Alfa it's currently off the road undergoing a minor bit of work. Hopefully back for the summer though.

How about the one on my profile?

[robemcdonald]

8.32 I'm happy to give it a go. Go you have a higher res version you can email me?

[Amy-Lea]

Mr Will said:

Amy-Lea said:

My partner got kicked off Myspace a few years ago for Copy Right infringement the deed, was that he had filmed on his mobile phone a scene out of the Simpson's that he had sky +'d and put the video on his profile!! I would contact google and ask if in doubt!

No use contacting google, contact the owner of the website you found them on.

Only the person/company who took the photograph can grant you the right to reproduce it.

Yeah but surely google could give advice on who to contact and whether or not its available for public use.