How to find LEGAL images to use

[missmornays]

Yeah! I need to find out if my Avvie and Siggy are Copywrited!

[computeradmit]

yah me to.

[computeradmit]

i think i am ok

What may we use then??? Like for Wolf pictures?

[kinzmom1924]

Originally Posted by 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.

I felt the need to step in here as a photographer and an employee at one of the stock libraries that contains these images.

Royalty free does not mean you may use images for free. The definition of Royalty free is as follows:
Definition: Clip art, images, graphics, photographs, art, music and other created content which may be offered to the public or individuals (normally for a specified amount of money) to be used in specified ways (terms of usage). The creator retains all copyrights and publishing rights. You may use and publish the clip art, images, music per the specified terms of usage but may not sale or distributed to a 3rd party. Royalty free packages, collections, images or photos are not public domain. The creator retains copyright and all terms of usage must be followed when using these royalty free packages, collections, images, photos, music, etc.

Everything on getty images, istockphoto, etc. is copyrighted material - even the royalty free images are copyrighted material. Royalty free simply refers to the type of license and usually involves a fee. I know for fact the RF images on istockphoto involve a fee because I sell images there. (And getty owns istock.)

So it is a very fine line when using these images that you follow their terms of usage and I just wanted to caution everyone before going and seeking images on microstock sites. I have seen my image house aggressively pursue sites that misuse images. Photographers regularly google their names and images to try to find where they are being used - more for tear sheets than to track down "wrong doers", but if they find blatant misuse, they do report it.

I personally can't imagine anyone having an issue with an image being used on a site like this for role play and such, but you never know. There are some mighty picky people out there and I just felt obligated to throw out some words of caution after coming across this post. (During my shell search of all things! LOL!)



OK, back to the fun stuff! Feel free to pm me or send me a visitor message with any questions. I will answer to the best of my ability.

[Ladykristy]

do the role playing charecters have to be wolves and stuff? can't they just be webkinz?

[JINGLES139]

Thanks for all that you do to make WI a great place!!!

[MarielofRedwall]

Thank you for the iinformation!

[EllaBellaBoo99]

can we order images like dolls or stuff from avatar and signature graphic shops and tell them we are using them as this. I haven't made any, but I was going to. I might not if I have to go through all this!

[Smog]

never heard of that site, besides, i make my own avvies and siggies, sometimes i get them from other people