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they're not yours for the taking.

I'm often asked about my blogging experience (since I'm one of the few in our office actually blogging regularly), and was speaking with someone in our office with decent blogging knowledge.

They asked me to blog about a specific localism event, which I agreed to do... and when I asked if we had any photos for it, they suggested that I just go online, google some images, and take some generic photos of the area, and post them.

My jaw must have sagged a little bit... but I recovered quickly, and went on to explain that those "google images" were often copyright protected, and it wasn't just safe to go online and "snag" them.

He insisted that YES, that's just what they're there for. They're generic photos, posted on the internet for anyone to take. "That's what I do", he said, "when I blog. I just go online, and snag any images I need from searching on Google Images."

I resisted the instinct to e-mail his name address and phone number directly to Lenn Harley... especially right after she'd been trap shooting.... not sure why I resisted... but I did.

I reiterated, that many of these images were copyright protected, and that they were not just there for the taking... and you'd be playing with fire to just take them... post them... and presume you were safe. Ladies and gentlemen of the Rain... we know better, don't we?

He insisted that I was being too cautious, and with kind of a smug, shirk of the shoulders... he insisted that he was right and I was being foolish.

Ladies and Gentlemen... this is the prevailing thinking out there. Anything found on the internet is free for the taking. Yikes!

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate, Evanston Realtor, Evanston Buyers, Evanston Sellers
North Shore Real Estate, North Shore Realtor, North Shore Buyers, North Shore Sellers
Evanston Homes for Sale • Evanston Buyers • Evanston Sellers • North Shore Homes for Sale • North Shore Buyers • North Shore Sellers

Posted by Alan May, Coldwell Banker Evanston Realtor, North Shore Realtor on 09/14/2009 08:23 AM

Comments (108)

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108 Comments on they're not yours for the taking.

SEP

Did you take the picture of Elvis off the Internet ? I hear what you are saying and I guess the whole napster thing raised an awareness that things are not free here

Hi Alan,

You are right and it is amazing to me to see the prevailing general attitude.

All mountain - yes, I did take my Elvis images off the internet... (mea culpa) and you're right... they are likely protected... but many of them are in the public domaine... I guess I've decided to play a little fast and loose with those... I'm taking my chances, that Elvis' estate has more to deal with, than the likes of me co-opting his image for "fun" and not for "profit"... but at least I'm doing it with my eyes open, and without a blindfold.

Dorie - I, too, was surprised at the attitude.

Alan...

LOL, real estate agents are always the worst offenders ... and it is hard to catch them!

Hi Alan, Good post. Thanks for sharing.

Best - Sash

Alan,

If the antecedent of "they" and "he" is "your managing broker," I think I would consider trying to connect the dots to other ethical lapses and my relationship with the firm.

Richard - we are??

Sasha - thank you

Mike - if you're asking "is the offending person my manging broker" the answer is a definitive 'no'... it was another agent in the office (who I respect) who blogs regularly. Unfortunately, I can't manage to get my managing broker to recognize the value of blogging for herself. And If I could, I doubt she'd find the time.

Prior to being on AR (& reading Lenn Harley's blog posts) I had NO IDEA they were protected. NOW I do AND don't do it!

Nor did I, Kristin, but if someone had confronted me, and told me that they WERE copywritten... I wouldn't turn around and say "no they're not... they're just there for the taking... that's why people upload them to the internet, so that we can use them for free".

d'oy!!

Alan, does this particular agent also believe that he may be a descendant of African royalty...and there are millions of dollars waiting for him "free on line"..

Alan, I do think that is the perception OUT there.

Unfortunatley it won't stand up, on Google they plainly say this image is copyright protected.

Ain't AR grand for teaching us things that others who don't know "assume"?

If this is the thinking there will be a rude awakening in the future.

Shelton

Alan, I used to do this...now I know better. Even when I use something like the Facebook logo, I'm not sure I'm within allowed usage. There are some sites that allow photo usage. Sometimes you can get permission to use a pic or image just by asking.

Steve - no, there was no mention of African Royalty....I'll keep the red-carpet at the ready.

Missy - that would require them to stop and "read".

Shelton - I think that is the thinking

Bob - I have the same "concerns"...

Hi Alan,

I'll tell you, copyrights (and trademarks) are nothing to mess around with. Even little guys can find themselves needing a good lawyer!

yep, Marcy... right now all we're dealing with are "copywrongs".

I think we were all guilty at one time or another, of going to google for a lot of things, because we didn't know better.

As soon as you do know better, though, you stop, and you do things the right way.

I put a photo of Betty Boop on my profile somewhere on the internet the other day and got a bunch of emails saying I can't use, it's stolen, etc. Well, I took a photo of a Betty Boop 'plate' while I was sightseeing a couple of weeks ago, so I thought the photo is mine, and I could use it. According to the people who emailed me, I shouldn't. (so now I can't use my photos either ... even if the subject matter is out in the open and I'm passing by - and it's not a child ....) :/

Ooops.... that's my comment (17) ... I forgot I wasn't logged on. :) (old age, you know...)

Search to protect your photos Copyscape style search for your photos folks. Common Alan, you know that if it's on the internet, you are just expecting to have your stuff copied and pasted!

Thanks for the post, very informative. As far as pics, isn't it a lot more fun to take and post you own anyway??

Alan - It's mostly a matter of not thinking. Rather than check to see if it's okay to use something taken off the Net, it's easier just to take it and "assume" it's okay. Now that I'm much more active online, I exercise caution when posting anything. I buy my images and never copy another's work and don't want anyone taking mine.

""That's what I do", he said, "when I blog. I just go online, and snag any images I need from searching on Google Images."" Alan, this quote from your blog about the person in your office is so very typical. Otherwise normally very professional people lack of knowledge and changing the rules in their mind to fit their own laziness or lack of creativity is very common. They tell themselves it's ok, everybody does it. Unfortunately, this is so commonplace today, it's considered normal. Case in point, I'm on a marketing/relational team in my church, and when we were looking for some certain music for a project we were working, we looked at the cost and thought it was too pricey for the size of the project. The next meeting, in walks a team member, one who considers herself honest and certainly not a thief, yet she walked in with burned copies of the music we wanted. She pilfered it from a file sharing site. That is illegal for those who don't know, and this was for a church by a church member. If that doesn't make the point about how commonplace this type of thing is, I don't know what does. The fact that you don't know that words, images, and video on the internet is someone else's intellectual property is not an excuse. That's a cop-out. As the IRS tells us, ignorance is no excuse.

unfortunately for some that's more of a life time philosophy which they now apply to the internet.

Alan,

Is there a way to determine what is copyright protected and what is fair game? Is Flickr generally safe or do you need to check each pic?

Thanks for the post.

Patrick

Unfortunately, Alan, there is no shortage of stupid people in this world. These are most likely the same folks who believe everything they read on the Internet is true without considering the source.

Glad you pointed this out. I actually have a good deed to report. I was recently contacted by two different groups asking my permission to use pictures from previous posts to use in upcoming events! Kind of a nice break from the prevailing mind set!

Good comment on the picture above - You knew some of us would check!!!

Thanks for sharing the post!

If I didn't get religion about this reading Lenn's posts, Broker Bryant wrote one about having to write someone a big fat check for a snatch and grab he'd long forgotten. I bought a thing of images for Mac. It's all I use unless it's a photo I took for myself.

Not sure why you resisted the urge but it is not too late to resist the urge to resist. Can you follow that on a monday morning?

Sylvie - certainly we're all guilty at some point...

that's cool Lyn, thanks for providing that.

David - we don't always have the image we need...that's why I subscribe to Clipart.com

John - it's "see no evil..."

Michael - very typical...

Jay - I don't think it malicious...

Patrick - that's a great question, but I don't know the answer... anyone??? anyone?? Bueller??? Bueller?

Elizabeth - what? It's not all true?

Russell - nice. I'm sure you granted permission, too... right?

Steve - I did indeed... although as All-Mountain pointed out... I'm not guilt-free

Lisa - you're welcome

Patricia- best way to go

Kate - the urge has been resisted to death.

Alan,

It's still a Wild West mentality regarding many things on the internet. It doesn't matter whether they're stealing images, music, software, whatever.

Rich

Alan - The comment about your pic is truly a comment on this whole post. I commend you in your fessing up/honest approach. :-)

I always take my own pics as per Lenn and if I don't Attribution and permissions are the only way to go... Of course I have seen my own pics snagged countless times out there and don't have the time and or energy to go after all of the culprits.... Aint freedom and ignorance a wonderful thing? Just my 2 cents.

I am always shocked by the clueless ness that we see in regars to these things. I happen to be in Elvis capital of the world right now, though and Graceland wants their image back - ha ha:) (I heart Elvis). The problem is that there are so many that just aren't using common sense.

Hey Alan,

You're so right. Just because it's on the Internet doesn't mean it's yours for the taking.

Great blog.

Congratulations on the featured post!

This subject always amazes me. After so many years, people are still ignorant enough about copyright law to feel free to "snag" images or anything else from the web. Many years ago I bought a license to use a huge library of images for my business. It's so simple. If you didn't take the photo, didn't write the copy or didn't pay for the right to use it, assume it's off limits unless specifically made available for general use.

It is that Richard

Robert - thanks for that

Courtney - all I will take to get the elvis images retired, is a oersonal call from the ever lovely priscilla

Craig - thank you my friend.

Geri - having been a graphic designer, in a former life, I did the same, and own a huge library of clipart... (going all the way back to 400k floppy disks, that I can't even access anymore)

He seems like the type who needs to be convinced by a judge. I hope his lesson doen't cost him too much.

Hi Alan... It's amazing to consider the general level of ignorance on copyright issues. Your colleague will probably have to learn the hard way!

Alan

Good reminder! I thank AR for educating me about this issue.

I can't even tell you how many people persist in believing that if it's on the internet it's free!

You should have asked him if he also takes another agents prior mls photos for his new listings as well.... Maybe that would have helped him tie things together...

Alan, this is a very good topic to post on! I am familiar with copyright and trademark law to the point only of knowing better than to use someone else's photos or material! I am out with my camera every day because I know I will use my photos before simply "snagging" someone else's. And, I don't want my photos "snagged" either - not that I'm that good a photographer! - without getting credit.

So, feel free to use my photos but tell everyone that they came from me, or don't! It's actually theft and I am reminded of the FBI warning on every DVD, that comes on before the movie.

Your colleague, and many others, will do well to ask permission or use their own photos. I'd hate to see someone suit go after them with a suit!

Thanks again! and BTW, you should ask Elvis if you can use his pix! LOL!

That attitute done not really suprise me in our indutry.

All Real Estate law and activities are based in the "do it and you only get in trouble if someone complains and the judge finds you guilty" theory.

Think about it, with the exception of your broker (who is legally responsible for your actions, ect) who checks your advertising, paperwork, where you get your graphics....

Here is a cool website where people can buy images for very cheap... http://www.bigstockphoto.com

YOU are absolutely correct... It looks like you may have to get together a pool to bail your collegue out of jail.... or NOT!

Mark - I sure hope it doesn't come to that... you know how I hate to stand by and say "I told you so".

Steve - very possibly.

Hank - well, clearly I know ONE.

Matt - oddly enough, that one he gets.

Trish - I have a call in, to the King, but he hasn't returned my call. It is, after all, long-distance.

Dave - it brings to mind the old adage "better to ask for forgiveness, than permission"

Thanks John.

Joan - or not. I tired to read him the gospel according to Lenn, but he chose not to listen.

I am glad to read your blog about pictures. I thought that some of the google images were not copyrighted and that I was able to use them. I never use the pictures that say copyrighted. Now I will be more careful.

Hi Alan ~ Unfortunately he really doesn't have a leg to stand on with this idea. The photos on Google state in black and white that they may be subject to copyright. Beats me why people would simply choose not to see that and do what they please.

Susan - some of the google images ARE free to use.. but it's very difficult (at least for me) to discerne which ones are which... so it makes it a little dangerous.

Denise - he's of the impression that all of the photos on Google Images were uploaded so that they can be shared. Clearly, that's not the case, but there's no arguing with him.

Alan - Has anyone ever told you that you have a striking resemblance to Elis Presley? I’m sure not (lol) Indeed, it’s not just photos people snag, it content too. It’s like a wild fire out of control …very difficult to stop it.

kathleen - you're not the first to mention it... but I just don't see the resemblance.

Hi Alan ~ The more posts about this the better. There are plenty who "should know better" who think that anything - prose or pictures - they find online is fair game. I was amazed early on when an AR member posted my post - in full - to her blog. She claimed to be a writer and as such should certainly have known that that wasn't allowed. I had somebody proudly show me their blog and since I knew this person couldn't write I was stymied - there were plenty of well written posts with no notes re authorship. He proudly explained that he culls his posts each night from the online versions of newspapers. Nice.

Couple of things from the comments -

I would never feel free to use a logo - Facebook, or ebay, or google or any of them - those definitely are copyrighted unless there's specifically something they make available for you to use.

Flickr photos are copyright protected. The exception is if someone has specifically chosen to make some rights available through Creative Commons. Even then, many won't allow commercial use so posting to a real estate blog is problematic. You can do a Creative Commons search but you have to pay attention to the level of allowed use.

Liz

Yikes! He will have to learn from someone like Lenn. More power to him!!

Elizabeth... I guess that's an area that confuses me too. When writing an article, or a review about... oh, let's say Apple computer. Is it always disallowed and unacceptable to put an Apple logo in the article? It seems it would help the article and Apple...

I know that often, in a review, you are allowed (within copyright rules) to use a small snippet of an book, or story while reviewing it. And often reviews include the logos and an image (or clip) from a film...

Emily - I just can't bring myself to sic Lenn on him... especialy while she's so fresh from trap shooting.

Here is a site for free stock photos: www.sxc.hu

Toronto Real Estate made a good point also. Taking photos of trademarked or copyright images and re-publishing them is not always permissable. For example, you can't take a picture of your Mickey Mouse poster and use that image as your avator.

Uh, Did I turn the corner into the Twilight Zone? A blogger uses a trademarked and protected image as his OWN, to represent his online persona, .. and also happens to be writing a post about copyright infringement ... did I get that right?

When asked about the image he responds.... " All mountain - yes, I did take my Elvis images off the internet... (mea culpa) and you're right... they are likely protected... but many of them are in the public domaine... I guess I've decided to play a little fast and loose with those... I'm taking my chances, that Elvis' estate has more to deal with, than the likes of me co-opting his image for "fun" and not for "profit"... but at least I'm doing it with my eyes open, and without a blindfold."

So, the perceived issue for this individual is not whether the behavior is legal, ethical or moral, but appears to be based on the likelihood or probability he will actually be caught by the rightful owners of the intellectual property?

And, the transmission / distribution of this purported unlicensed use of a protected image is being done (hourly, daily, etc.) by an online forum with a published "no copyright infringement" policy ... so allegedly turning a blind eye to this instance could possibly be perceived as complicit? Wait, not only turning a blind eye but elevating the post to a "feature" category which is generally recognized as being designed to promote MORE online exposure?

Ah well, I suppose both the blogger and the A/R owners have deep pockets since cyber-infringement penalties and restitution is increasingly tied to the number of the times the pirated material is used/viewed/accessed --- and since this is a digital forum, every logon, every view, every click has been tracked.

Alan,

You are right. Just a few weeks ago someone in my office illegaly downloaded a movie from the internet and the FBI came to visit my broker. We haven't figured out who it was yet, but if we do they will no longer be working here! Plus they will have to deal with the FBI. I wouldn't want to be them, and I wouldn't want to be your co-worker when the get "snagged". And they will.

Interesting post. With the internet, blogging, twittering, etc all in their infancy we all still have a lot to learn about what is acceptable and what is not.

Judith Sinnard, I was just trying to put together my thoughts on this post and then I came to your comment. Bravo. This is Bizarro World, isn't it? I'm glad someone else sees the extreme irony here.

It's amazing that most people feel this way, but you're right, most of them really do. It can be a dangerous and costly practice for sure.

Uh, Oh, Alan:

I think the Floor Plan Lady may have just floored you...

I hope she's wrong. I wouldn't want to see anything happen to one of my favorite writers on A/R.

This is a great post and does point out something that I think too many people are either not aware of or just do not care. For me, I have always had a healthy enough fear to make sure that my i's are dotted and my t's are crossed. So far, I have purchased the rights to use any image I use. That way I can sleep at night.

Sometimes they need to be reminded that "if it isn't yours, you need permission to use it".

Alan, glad to see that you changed the photo and that you are going to be setting a good example for not only the other agents in your office, but also for those at AR that you are an Ambassador to. (What a rambling sentence..sorry!)

EmMee - good resource.

Judith - you sure know how to spoil my fun by being "right" (thanks for that... no really, thank you).

Ann - we know who would be snagged in that operation

Lynn - it is a brave new world.

Tim - when she's right, she's right.

JL - indeed... and I wouldn't want to endanger AR or my Agency either.

Don't worry, Claudette... I ain't going nowhere (are you a subscriber?)... but I'll figure out a way to have Elvis back (legally) soon.

As did I, Valerie, as did i.

Kris - mea culpa... and as an ambassador... d'oy!!!

AAAAGH.... bring back Elvis!!!

Alan - I wasn't trying to spoil your fun, when I read your explanation I realized you did not (perhaps fully) understand the risk you were taking ... for yourself, for your agency and for the A/R platform; and the very pricey penalty /restitution fines you may be incurring for all involved. I have several patents, copyrights and trade-marks .. my business is largely about intellectual property so I am maybe more "tuned in" than other professions ... and still I make mistakes... copyright law is morphing at light speed, and still more changes will be coming.

PS to EmMee Hill ---thks to link to this site; it was unknown to me and looks like it has very interesting photos

Phew, that was a long time.

This photo of Elvis is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.

I was breakin' into a cold sweat over heaah!!

There, David... better?

Judith - don't worry.. I was just kiddin' with the "spoil my fun" part, and was sincere about the "thank you"... I really hadn't given it the appropriate amount of thought, and was just thinkin' it'd slide by, cause after all... EVERYone co-opts Elvis' image... but you're correct...

That does not make it right, nor safe for me, or AR or CB... so sincerely.. .thank you. Active Rain... you're safe again... and you owe it to Judith (c'mon, thank the girl properly, and pony up some points ... give her 1,000 of mine, whaddya say?)

it does seem like the internet has a wild west feeling to it still. i guess we will make it up as we go.

Tim - I'm sure it'll take the rules a little time to catch up with all the action...

Judith - I've changed my icon back to my own image... I don't like the two "public domain" one's I've found yet... but rest assured, I will find legal Elvis images to use. It's just become too entrenched for me.

Alan...

That's a great profile pic of the real you, but the last Elvis you used was my favorite! I just came back to congratulate you on the feature.

http://www.sxc.hu/

Noticed this link from EmMee for free pics - I think the terms of use are pretty ambiguous - be careful using pics from there.

Alan, why don't you dress up like Elvis and have some one take some pics of you? Can you sing? Well, make a video, too. I am sure that many here would love to see that! :)

Hi Alan, Congratulations on the feature and a great reminder. We must be so cautious in what we are just "snagging" off the internet.

Richard - thank you... I got a million of 'em... but I'm not gonna display them now... that was one of my favourites too.

Viginia - I don't think there'll be any "dressing up" for me...but thanks for the thought (now I have to go home and poke out my mind's eye)

Sandy - yes, indeedy doo... we need to be on our blue-suede-shoed toes.

Let them get sued once for a copyright violation for 1K or 10K and it will cease instantly.

Alan, you're a handsome dude! So glad you're using your own pic now, it really helps to put the faces with the posts/words. It was hard to talk to Elvis :-))

Chris - I'd really like to avoid that.

Kris - clearly you're visually impaired, but thank you for the compliment.

There are plenty of "public domain" sites out there with pictures you can use. Also, if the event wants the free publicity that you can provide, they may also have some photos that you can use.

There are tons of free image sites for anyone to visit that needed to, Alan. However, taking your own photos is always best. Maybe you SHOULD send them Lenn's info. Apparently, the blogging expert needs a little advice.

John - thank you for that.

Heather - nah... I'll let him learn on his own.

Alan - Peer pressure? ha ha... Nice to see what you actually look like after all those movies and albums....

Nah, Robert. Not peer pressure... but a logical and convincing argument by Judith.

I have had entire pieces of my website TAKEN, verbatim. I also created a brochure explaining the selling process in our area, and another agent COPIED it on a photocopier and inserted her business card over my contact info. Geez. I educated her about plagiarism.

wow... Erica... those are king-sized cojones.

Alan, I like your photo much better than Elvis's. I had checked on Linkedin before and had found the photo that you are now using. I just like to get a visual of who I'm talking to .

I have used the Microsoft Clipart images and thought they were ok to use and recently found out that they are not.

I don't want to do anything wrong.. sometimes what I think I know, I find out I didn't know at all!

Great Post and well written. Thanks for posting it.

The agent claimed innocent mistake.

Alan,

It's important to start building up a portfolio of useable images.

Or, just become an expert photographer, as many real estate agents now seem to be.

Brian

Judi - thank you very much... (you have a vision issue too, eh?)

Erica - "innocent mistake my-aunt-fanny"

Brian - I'm actually an accomplished photographer... but i don't always have the time, or don't have the image I want. that's why I pay a clip-art service... a holdover from my days as a graphic designer.

unfortunately, people that aren't blogging regularly haven't read the posts about copywriting. It's our job to inform the public I guess!

Alan - I love it when you try to educate someone and they just don't want to listen. What is with people?

I think sites like flickr and shutterbug have public domain as well as licensed photos and art. They generally charge a very modest fee for most licensed photos. (as little as 25 cents for some)

I have included some links below that address some of the legal implications with copyright and trademark law. They also have information on copyrighting your own works and photos.

I'm not a lawyer and don't have a dog in this hunt. Just thought I would interject.

U.S. Copyright Office Basic Facts, Tradmark Betty Boop Trademark Lawsuit

Have fun.

Cliff Jones
Keller Williams Realty

and we take it seriously, don't we Sandy?

Michelle - people iz people.

thanks Cliff... I don't think anybody has a "dog in this hunt"... we're not at all on opposing sides of this issue.

There are public domain and share alike licenses on some images... but most people don't bother checking...

Wow, unfortunately that misunderstanding would not hold up in court- ignorance is no excuse for the law.

Lane - it's often difficult to tell which are public domain... commons... whatever...

Christine & Jennifer - tru that...

Alan,

Unfortunately lots of bloggers and others on the Internet still think that way. One day they'll pay through their noses for it. Ask this gentleman to give Lenn a call.

That is good information to know, is there anything on the internet that you can use. Is there a way to tell the difference between usable and not.

SEP

Alan:

All this time I thought Elvis was alive and living in Evanston. Today I see a different picture. Bring back Elvis!

There are many places on the internet to get royalty free pictures from. Morguefile.com is one of my favorites.

Seems he is not the only one who has this notion -- there are too many people lifting images .

Alan, I didn't mean to suggest an antagonistic or opposing viewpoint with my "dog in this hunt" reference. The phrase was intended to show that my post was only intended as a source of possibly useful information.

I found several interesting tid-bits of information when I did the search and found the sites. I think it would be a good idea for all of us that routinely make or use any type of images for advertising purposes to be somewhat aware of the basic rules governing their use.

I read somewhere recently about a woman being fined $1.9 million dollars for downloading only 24 songs that she didn't have the rights to use. That's a scary thought. Of course what she did was found to be a willful act, hence the large penalty.

I know we are in agreement on this topic. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share.

Cliff Jones
Keller Williams Realty

Alan,

Hats off to you for rethinking your profile picture! You are much more handsome that that other guy...

I have a ton of pictures online that rank well. I've found a few competitors taking my images and I called them on it.

Esko - nah... I like Lenn to much to burden her with his stuff.

James - I'm sure there is... but I'm unclear on how to tell the different.... anybody??

Carol - thanks for that site.

Bob and Carolin - oh, he's not alone at all... he has lots of company.

Cliff - gotcha. I guess I misunderstood the phrase... sorry.

Irene - you may want to make an appointment with your local ophthalmologists... but thank you.

Will - not sure what you mean by "rank well"... enlighten me.

I think that is a common misperception and hope it doesn't happen too often with my photos and content. Google even tells you when you search for images that some of them may be protected by copyrights.

Here is a good article that you can give to your other agent:

Can I take images from Google Images to use on my blog?

Kevin & Monica - it appears to be very common...

Integrity - thanks... and here's an excerpt of what it says:

Can I take images from Google Images to use on my blog?

Many bloggers find images on Google Images. Unless you have express written permission from the owner or it falls under the creative commons umbrella, you’re in violation of copyright laws if you right click and image, download it and use it on your blog.

and

How do I know what images I can use?

In short, if you don’t have permission it’s not yours to use.

Hey, Ya'll! Heres a link to a picture of a house (on a public domain stock photo site). You can download and use this one all you want.

Picture of house.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?picture=ugly-house&image=175&large=1

Over 7,000 images available.

Do a google search for "stock photo" or "public domain photo" to find more.

Cliff Jones
Keller Williams Commercial Division
Franklin, TN
cliff@kwcommercial.com

SEP

It's amazing that after all this time there are so many clueless people out there who ignore the rules or are ignorant to them.

SEP

Cliff, that was one Fugly house.

Terry - it's one thing to be ignorant of the rules... entirely another to know about them and ignore or flaunt them.

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