Graphics Copyright issue

Copyright issue using graphics

[copongcopong]

for example, you to try to copy pictures on another web sites, add it to your collage using your old photoshop, therefore making a new "out of this world" graphics and you think its so cool ... to cut the story short, is this still under copyright issue violation?

(sort of like sampling in rap music)

peace. :)

[Marcia]

Yep, it's a violation. What's on the other sites are someone's intellectual property, and no matter how it's modified, it's a derivative work and it takes their written permission to use it.

There's plenty out there that's royalty free (like on CD collections) and some in the public domain; those can be used. It takes some searching to find them, but Microsoft's Image Gallery at their site is a good place to start.

It raises another issue also, for web designers. The client's product photos are theirs, but if you make modifications and alterations and you're an independent contractor rather than employee or work-for-hire, the photo is theirs but you're the copyright owner of the enhanced work and if they go to another web developer they can't use your version without a release.

Interesting area of study, because people grab stuff all the time without even knowing - like using graphics without following conditions and/or giving credit.

[korkus2000]

What you should do is contact the webmaster of the site you got the graphic from. Find out if the graphic is from clip art or not. If it is a non profit or hobby site you can usually get permission pretty easily. If you talk to the owner you will get a lot further than you think. A lot of people just take and think noone will find out. Someone always finds out.