There's been a flurry of interest in blogging circles about copyright of images used from the internet. Check out Roni Loren's post about her law suit over use of images on her blog. Another great summation of the problem and some creative methods of using images can be found at Denise Covey's L'Aussie Writer. I know I don't have the expertise to add to their wonderful info. Both suggests using Creative Commons or other photo sharing sources.
You may have noticed some changes on In the Shade of the Cherry Tree. Gone is the main image of sunlit cherries on a tree. I've replaced it with my photo of leaves from my own tree with some store-bought cherries. This version is on my mahogany dining table. I've took several different versions and some that are just a plate full of cherries to use in various ways. I've also taken down the pics I've used throughout my blog. I think the one I hated losing the most was the Marines in their dress blue uniforms. There is some question about badges for awards and blog contests, too. I don't know the answer to that yet. If I hear a definitive word, I'll let you know.
That said, I wholeheartedly believe in copyrights. I depend on them for my words and I can't fault photographers and other artists for wanting the same for their creative output. So from now on, unless I can take the picture myself, I'll forgo using an image.
What have you heard about this issue?
Do you have any ideas about sources of images that are okay for use?
I'm with you. If I can't take the picture (baring awards buttons) I won't put it up. I know there are fair game pictures but I'm so scared of making a mistake and don't know how to use them anyway.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Sarah. I do think that covers of books should be fine since I'm helping promote it. We'll see what the future holds.
DeleteI agree--better safe than sorry. I do use some copyright-free image databases for pictures, and I always cite them as a source.
ReplyDeleteI'm still not sure enough try it, so I'll be all "Zan Marie" all the time for the moment.
DeleteI made a list of every single blog post of mine that needs changing - 155 of them. The thing is, most are book covers, and I'm going to ask permission for those. Some are screen shots that I think I'm okay to leave. The rest... I have to change them; I don't want to delete them but, like you, I'll have to find photos of my own to replace them with.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the time for this??
Not to mention for labelling - I haven't ever labelled a single blog post and I really really should have.
I'm not going to remove the covers because the authors know I was reviewing their books. I finally got my new flavicon in the adress line to take. Screen shots of my own scrivener files don't worry me either. It's the little pics of things like stop signs and emergency room signs that I worry about. I wonder about the badges and video clips, too. Oh, well. I'll live a bit dangerously on those...for the moment. ; )
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