Is It Okay if I Use Your Photo if I Link Back to You?
Note: I’m not a lawyer so don’t bank on my advice. Do your own research, double and triple check, and if you have one, check with your lawyer. The following is based on my research and opinion.
For the most part using copyrighted images is a NO GO. This means that NO you can not use the image without the direct permission from the owner. One exception to this rule is the fair use rule. As a crochet blogger you probably know a bit about this. You’ve probably heard of creative commons (2) but what exactly is this?
While some people may not think so (or at least act like it), copyright laws still apply when writing or posting on the web. (1) Patrick Brown via WesternJournalism.com
Fair use simply means that for journalistic or commentary reasons you may use a copyrighted image or snippet of text or whatever you wish to use. (3) Wikipedia Definition
One option that some use to get around this is by making a collage of photos to highlight a number sources. This is using the fair use rule as well as the creative commons rule. See Moogly Blog’s Free Pattern Roundups for an example.
image r2hox via flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/rh2ox/
Can You Still Get Sued?
Yes, Yes you can. The image you are using is still copyrighted so unless you receive permission and/or prove in a court of law that you used it under the fair use creative commons rule – you will have a hefty fine to pay. It isn’t something you want to mess around with.
Really, most bloggers and/or photographers actually are pretty nice. Send a quick email asking permission and why/where you will use the photo and more often than not they will give you permission. This has been my experience.
Still need to read more on copyright? Read this article Vitaly Friedman on Smashing Magazine (4) shared by WesternJournalism.com on all things copyright laws.
Where Can I Find Free Images for My Blog?
I was clueless until I started writing articles for Squidoo.com. I took a group class, ‘RocketMoms’ and learned how to use and site photos legally. I also follow the lovely Michelle Shaeffer who posted 20 Totally Free Image Sources back in 2011.
I use the following sites on my blogs and in my articles:
- http://freedigitalphotos.com (I use this one – you have to link back to photographer and site)
- http://morguefile.com (I also use this one a lot when I don’t feel like linking back as permission to do so is granted)
- http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/ (search under the term creative commons)
- http://pixabay.com/en/ (owned by a writer I know)
What Picture Sources Do You Like Using?
Sources:
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How to Stay Legal Posting Pictures While Blogging (1) - http://www.westernjournalism.com/how-to-stay-legal-posting-pictures-while-blogging/
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Creative Commons (2) - http://creativecommons.org/
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Fair_Use Definition on Wikipedia (3) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use
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Smashing Magazine – Copyright Explained (4)- http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/07/07/copyright-explained-i-may-copy-it-right/
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20 Totally Free Image Sources (5) - http://michelleshaeffer.com/20-totally-free-image-sources/2011/11/05/
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Christian Mommy Bloggers – a site filled with lots of blog tech advice http://christianmommyblogger.com/how-to-use-stock-photos-flickr-tutorial/
About Sara Duggan
Well chica – now THIS is a post I NEED to share with my other blogging friends. Thank you so much! I needed it and I’m sure many others do too! Have a blessed day!
Dawn, that’s great. I thank you for sharing. I really did learn all this from others as we all do right? I just put it all together in one post. Who knows? laws change so maybe 6 months from now this post will be obsolete?
Valuable information. I’ve shared it, too. Thanks for writing this post. I’ve been wondering about how to document photos lately.
Deanna, glad it was helpful to you. It was a question I was asked earlier this week so thought I’d blog about it.
Thank you! This is a great post for bloggers. I use my own images for my blog, most of the time, but I do sometimes post pattern round ups, or share cool photos/ideas I have found. It is good to know the best way to do those things, so that no one gets upset, and I don’t do anything illegal.
Jessie, I too wondered because I saw people do it and knew that copyright laws protected photos so I was wondering how they were getting past that. Creative commons and fair use is a great allowance but not something to take advantage of like some blogs who just copy and paste your entire post including pictures. That is stealing.
Thanks Sara – just what I needed
Rhondda
Rhondda Mol recently wrote…A Crochet Bucket List Project – Southern and Sassy
Rhondda, exactly who I posted this for. Told you that you gave me an idea for a blog post. You’re question is actually one that many have so I’m glad I could offer what bit of knowledge I have on the subject.
This is such good info to get out there! I know SO many people have no idea. I know I sure didn’t when I first started! Thanks for sharing and for telling others about our site!! ~Nikki
Nikki, thanks for stopping by. I’m glad I came across your site. It is now on my regular ‘to read’ blog list.