Copyright Question

[itsmefolks]

I have been told I can`t use some pictures I copied off a website on my website!! I sell general produce and have used some photographs of products available in many other shops. These pictures have no (C) for copyright on them so I guessed they were ok to use. I wondered how I stood if this person start getting shirty?

[black_cat51]

you would be sent a "cease and desist" letter probably

[Buenchico]

Copyright exists in any original work (including a photograph) as soon as it's created. There is no need to register the copyright (indeed, there's no system for doing so anyway) or to put © on it; copyright is automatic.
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/copy.htm

Either get you camera out and take your own photographs (which is the 'official' answer) or nick them from somewhere where the copyright holder won't find out about it (which is probably what most people would do!)

[Ellipsis]

... or buy photos, or obtain permission to use them, or find some copyright free ones, e.g. here:

http://search.creativecommons.org/

[itsmefolks]

Not breaking any laws then?? Just another case of not towing the party line and someone chucking there dummy out?
I take it there isn`t a law against doing what I do but rather fist making by the other party??
Sad really!! No law broke so carry or as per. Thanks anyway !!

[Ellipsis]

Yes, it is breaking the law, especially if it has been pointed out to you and you carry on doing it. See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_law_of_the_United_Kingdom

[Tuvok]

The owner of the site you have taken the images from may have actually PAID for the images.

I use www.sxc.hu and another site called morguefile

Both these sites offer free images.

Make sure you look in the free photos part of morguefile as they also have a paid section.

In sxc you will see paid files above and below the free images.

In both make sure you read the relevant licence.

I have seen a paid file thats been uploaded to the free files by someone and on the same page the paid file was also shown. Naughty user!

I would suggest that you check any file through the tineye website - it will show where else the image has been used - if it comes up with a paid site then you can't use it.

[Tuvok]

Years ago I spotted in the stats of my works website that someone in another country was linking to an image on our site.

So our site developer changed our image link to a new filename and replaced the linked image - keeping the filename the same - with a picture of the Hoff!!!

[DTCwordfan]

I've had cease and desist orders served on a couple of folk over mis-use of my copyright.

[Buenchico]

It's not a breach of criminal law. (i.e.you can't be fined or go to prison). However it's most definitely a breach of civil law, meaning that you can be sued for a large sum of money (plus probably far larger court costs).

If the images you refer to are those on your website selling home brew supplies, I can see why your rival in Cheshire (who seems to have identical images on his website) may well get upset!

[beso]

Your response shows that you apparently can't read.

It is against the law as had already been pointed out when you responded.

Do you always just see whatever you want?

[joko]

your attitude is terrible - it is you that is sad because you think you should be able to just take other peoples creative work and use it for whatever you choose - and anyone who understandably doesnt like it, is just being moody!

i hope they see this and take action