How to find LEGAL images to use

[fairlyoddmom]

It has come to our attention that many avatars and signature graphics were created using the artwork from this website:

http://weuukoo.com/index2.htm . These wolves are drawn by a few artists, one of them being TaniDaReal.

The artists from this site have a copyright statement that prevents their images from being altered and used in the creation of a graphic that is then credited to someone else.

The avatars created with this artwork are in direct violation of this copyright.

If you are using such avatars or have signature graphics using this artwork and it is not in direct compliance with the websites copyright statement, please remove them.

Edited to add: Do not use images from mweor.com or wajas.com either. It's the same copyright issue--Larkrose

I understand that this is disappointing but this is for the good of ALL involved including and MOST certainly the original artists.

Also, there will be NO harassing of anyone because of this issue being brought to light. Anyone who is harassed should let me know immediately.

Copyright issues are no laughing matter. Regardless of how it makes you feel, you should consider the artist involved and how THEY would feel.

I'm am sure there are images out there that you can use freely, however, even if you find images that can be altered, its always respectful to credit the original artist.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

-fairlyoddmom

Please don't me under false pretenses. I'm not upset or angry in any way. I've spoken to many of you and have tried to help you out by finding alternative images or images you might be able to work with. I spent A LOT of time scanning this artwork. 9 times out of 10, I'm going to know who the artwork is by or I'll find out. Please don't make this into more than it needs to be.

[fairlyoddmom]

As a follow up...I took this from the actual artists website:

• Avatars / Roleplays?
NO, please ask first which character! 90% of the pictures and characters I draw already ARE special characters that belong to somebody (either me or other artists). You can't just take a picture of another person's character and claim that would be you.

[fairlyoddmom]

ARTIST #2

Along these same lines, some members on this board were also using the work of another artist.

Zelecen from neopets has posted some line drawings of wolves for people to use if they would like. He says you may take them and color them as long as you leave his name on them. You will see his drawings with his signature Silverwhoot.

You can use these drawings but you still have to respect the artists work. Claiming them as your own is disrespectful to the time and love the artist puts into their work.

**UPDATE**
Now, I have received many pms from you all asking if you can still use these avatars. I'm not going to tell you what to do only what is right and what is wrong.

In the case of the WeuUkoo Wolves, these artists create these wolves for themselves or others for use in roleplays.

These wolves already have lives, a history, a story. To wear them as if they were your wolf is disrespectful to those people that have already put their time and effort into the creation of the character. Imagine someone taking what YOU have created and using it in another manner.

I trust knowing that, you will make wise decisions about their use in the future.

[fairlyoddmom]

I was hoping that you all would understand that the above information should apply to ALL sites that contain artwork which is copyrighted.

I see a BUNCH of artwork from this website:
http://www.valixy.net/home

Which, when you click on the gallery states:

Quote:

You do NOT have any permissions to use any artwork featured here.

Please remove this artwork from your posts as well as ANY artwork which you do not have permission to use.

[smitchell]

There has been much use of copyrighted images lately on the rp threads. I wanted to share with you some terms and how to find images you can use. The word copyrighted means that no one can use the image without permission of the owner. If there is an artist watermark, name or the copyright symbol (a circle with a tiny c in it) then the image cannot be used. Most artwork in general is copyrighted unless specifically stated.

For example, if you wanted to use an image from my books ... you would have to get permission from myself, the publisher, or the illustrator. Using those images without permission is illegal --- it is stealing. Do not assume everything on the internet is free.

Public domain means that the image or text is not copyrighted and can be used freely. When you search (Google, Yahoo, or other search engine) type public domain after the search word -- ie: wolf pictures public domain. That should give you many pictures (most of them photos, not illustrated) that you can use LEGALLY.

***update 2/19-- Let me also share what I know from photo-research I have to do on a regular basis. A great website for free images is www.gettyimages.com. When you do a search, you can search for "royalty-free (RF)" images.

For example: If I want to find a picture of a wolf to use. I would use the search engine in Getty. Type wolves, select ONLY the royalty-free RF box then search. You will get tons of items but to refine, you can select Creative Images to the left. (Editorial images are usually pictures of people). I did this and got tons of wolf pictures that are FREE to use.

If anyone needs help using this function or with photo research, just pm and I'll try and help.

[gupdoo3]

Thanks for the info! I would not want someone taking part of my story without asking me! (I'm working on a story on WI.)

[xnewmsx]

Thanks! Yeah, i wouldn't want someone using my images either. (not that i have any, anyways)

[skeay bunny]

thanks for the info

[WebkinzRockHardGurl]

Thanks for the info!

[DragonStar]

Awesome! I searched that, found some pretty cool images. Thanks Smitchell!