copyright information

[Spooki]

i hope it's ok to post this but here are some links that will help people understand copyright law:

• Copyright Myths
• Fair Use
• Introduction to Copyright and Fair Use

I think it's great actually. I'm going to make it a sticky! - Doc

[Phoenix]

I'd also like to post this:

http://www.eightyonedesign.co.uk/google ... ic-domain/

Even if your images are found on google images this does not mean they are 'public domain' images and subsequently are okay for people to use.

Think about it: Google images do not host your images it shows then then links to the page they are found on. This means that regardless of them 'being found on google images' to use the images you must check individual copyright statuses for the photos. However, this does not mean to say that there aren't images on Google which are considered public domain.

It is possible to filter google to show only public domain images:

http://www.google.com/support/websearch ... =29508&hl=

Spefically for commercial reuse (ie, using as promotion or as 'styles I can make') there is a grand total of 1 photo under the search 'dreadlock extensions' using Google's commerical reuse search restriction.

Feel free to try it yourself.


Edit: it is also possible to file copyright infringement with Google Images if you find another website hosting your images. Proof that you do have to check copyrights before trying to use an image you find.

http://images.google.com/support/bin/an ... &answer=58

[rivetlicker_]

See, there was an argument that google images are public domain. It was hard to say they weren't.

[Phoenix]

The aren't considered public domain in the sense that you can use them without checking copyright status.
I know Wikipedia is not God but this is a comprehensive list of public domain image websites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia: ... _resources

[dreadviolet]

http://artists-bill-of-rights.org/

[Lady J]

Also useful info, the Berne Convention, which governs international copyright law for most of the world

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berne_Conv ... stic_Works