We’re all familiar with the old adage: a picture is worth a thousand words. In some cases, a picture is worth a thousand dollars. Luckily, for those of us not interested in investing a small fortune for the use of an image on a small scale, there are options.
Sites offering free copyright images are gaining in popularity throughout the blogging and web design communities alike, but they are by no means created equal.
In fact, “free” does not necessarily mean “without cost” or even relate to price. For example, “royalty free” simply means that once you pay for the photo, you are “free” to use it however you like.
When words don’t even mean what they are supposed to mean, how are we to know the rules and rights surrounding “free” images on the web? And if payment is a prerequisite to all of that freedom, are any pictures truly free?
Now, you may be asking yourself “who really cares?” After all, what are the chances that some artist is going to go to the trouble of tracking you down to sue you for “illegally” downloading their work? Besides, they put it out there on the Internet so it’s really fair game, right?
- Category: Blogging, Problogger.net Blog
- Tags: blog design, blogging, download, tracking
3 Responses to “Common Creativity: Understanding the Rules and Rights Around “Free” Images on the Web” Leave a reply ›
Although a lot of bloggers or web owners may not be able to go through the details of the licenses highlighted above, the truth remains that acknowledging the work or images of others will readily help us to stay out of copyright issues.
From the details of this post, different types of licenses from Creative Commons were discussed. I appreciate this piece because it simplifies for many bloggers some important legal aspects of the application of image copyright.
You don’t have to think about what ifs, what if you get caught, or what if you don’t. The simple principle of the Golden Rule can help people out. What you want others do to you, you do it unto others. If you want people to pay for the stuff that they get from you, you should also the same.