XSitePro Website Design Software Message Board

Hi,
Its alright to use some pictures from google image search for my website? Its legal or will i get into trouble? Please advise.

No, it's not legal to use images from Google images or other people's sites. It's copyright infringement and you'd be surprised how often the owner will have their lawyer email you, threatening legal action. I've had that happen to several clients who claimed they didn't know "borrowing" other people's images was illegal. One of the first things I ask my clients is, "Where did you get these images?"

However, you can find out where the Web owner got the image by using a service called http://www.TinEye.com. Link to the Google image and TinEye will find all the places that image is used on the Web, including stock photo sites where you can buy the image. Sometimes the Google image is from a free stock photo site, so then you can get it for free, too.

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Andrea Wilson

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Be careful when selecting images from Google Images. For example, Getty Images and iStock Photos have allowed Google to index many
of their images. They then actively look for the use of these images and have their lawyers contact website owners, threatening legal action
and asking for payment.

I just noticed ableweb's post re TinEye.com. Great suggestion and great utility. The safest practice is to just pay a small fee to license the use of the image.

I use Shutterstock, Dreamstime, BIGSTOCK and others.

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XSitePro runs great on HostGator (WordPress does, too)

Just because they have not been caught yet does not make it okay. They are still violating someone's copyright if they're using the image without permission.

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Andrea Wilson

1. Custom XSitePro Templates. XSitePro Consulting and Training. FREE TIPS!

2. Off-the-Shelf XSitePro Templates! Versatile designs. Easy to manage and maintain!

3. AllWebMenus Pro and XSitePro Work Perfectly Together! NEW!

I got fined $1200.00 for using an image I found online and pasting it into my web site. I got the fine knocked down to $500 bucks, but I still had to pay Getty Images.

There are a TON of images owned by Getty Images (http://www.gettyimages.com/) out there. Eventually they will spider your site and if the exact same image is on YOUR site, you'll get an email or letter in the mail from their lawyer.

I would advise you to NOT copy images and use them on your site. If you do use an image you find, then alter the image in some way to make it unique to you. Add some text to it or merge it with something so it's not exactly the same.

Thanks Andrea

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TinEye.com is pretty cool, eh, Jason?

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Andrea Wilson

1. Custom XSitePro Templates. XSitePro Consulting and Training. FREE TIPS!

2. Off-the-Shelf XSitePro Templates! Versatile designs. Easy to manage and maintain!

3. AllWebMenus Pro and XSitePro Work Perfectly Together! NEW!

Very Cool

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I realize this thread was brought back from months ago, but rather than starting a new thread I was wondering about the quoted statement.

Is it legal to modify an image and use it on your website? I understand there's a point where if it's modified beyond recognition no one can prove you took their image. But would it be legal as it's suggested by the quote to merely add some text to the image? I appreciate any guidance.

Thank you.

No, it's still not legal and I would never suggest anyone try to get away with this as stock photo sites like Getty Images DO search out photo thieves. Besides, it's just not ethical.

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Andrea Wilson

1. Custom XSitePro Templates. XSitePro Consulting and Training. FREE TIPS!

2. Off-the-Shelf XSitePro Templates! Versatile designs. Easy to manage and maintain!

3. AllWebMenus Pro and XSitePro Work Perfectly Together! NEW!

Thank you Andrea for your quick reply.