Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by susie martin maynard on January 19, 2010 at 7:18pm

Sheri- You are such a smart "COOKIE!"

Sheri Cline said:

Most of the stuff I aquire is through "sharing" and graphic sites that let you use their graphics for free. There are a lot of freeware places to go and I do go there and get tons of stuff. Also, when someone freely posts graphics on say, "Facebook, Myspace, Blogspot and Typepad" they are putting their postings in the "Public Domain".

Almost all graphic sites that create their free graphics do ask that you don't use their images "For Profit", in other words, you don't sell them and make money off of it. You can also type in your "search", "Free Graphics, Free Picture Scrap, Free Backgrounds" and so on, and pages and pages of sites will come up for you to access from. Thier sites will also "Link" you to many more free sites.

The only time I've ever heard of anyone "Getting a little heat" is when she tried to publish and sell a graphic that was still under copyright. The "Owner" contacted her company and gave her a warning and she pulled it from her publication.

From what I have heard, publications that are over 100 years old are public domain, their copyright is up. There has been a mad dash on the old postcards that are now being circulated on the internet by all the "Scrap Booking" fans. They can now legally copy, print and reuse in publications of cards, gift tags and so on. Their having a blast!

About "Copyrighting", in order for something to be under "Copyright", you have to legally file it. You can't just paint a picture, put a "C" on it and claim it's copyrighted, you must actually file it and send a check to cover the cost.

Permalink Reply by Terri Penman on January 29, 2010 at 9:28pm

Hjordis, great question and Sheri, what a terrific answer, thanks so much.

Yes, all of the graphics that I have posted are on the "Free" websites mentioned by Sherlock Sheri. There are a few instances where I have attempted to copy a graphic but an automatic pop-up appeared stating that the owner does not grant copy privileges. Hjordia, I am glad you are finding creative ways to use this site and I hope you post your graphics for our enjoyment.

Permalink Reply by Jeanne Wiggins on June 26, 2010 at 9:47pm

You can join me on Facebook.....Jeanne Wiggins or Yard Flowers. Befriend me and you can have anything that you want. I would REALLY like my name acknowledged on the picture though. Would love to know where it actually ends up...So that I can say I've been published and where......

Terri Penman said:

Hjordis, great question and Sheri, what a terrific answer, thanks so much.

Yes, all of the graphics that I have posted are on the "Free" websites mentioned by Sherlock Sheri. There are a few instances where I have attempted to copy a graphic but an automatic pop-up appeared stating that the owner does not grant copy privileges. Hjordia, I am glad you are finding creative ways to use this site and I hope you post your graphics for our enjoyment.

Permalink Reply by Jeanne Wiggins on June 26, 2010 at 9:49pm

Most people will give you permission if you just ask and somehow acknowledge them in print with their pictures.

Permalink Reply by Hjordis Owens on January 8, 2011 at 9:49am

Well, I guess I was the original questioner: :-)  just checking in after a long absence and finally seeing your post.  Thank you for the clarification.  I once found a nativitiy artwork that was so unusual, I wanted to use it on a church newsletter I do.  This image, having included Joseph as an active part of caring for the baby Jesus and  a modern, believable appearance of the people it, made it so unique.  I emailed the website owner who had published it publicly; he gave me the artist's name to email but warned I would probably never hear from him.  He was right so I had to forfeit sharing it with 1400 people who would have enjoyed it.  Sad, but that's how it is.  Another time I had used a Bugs Bunny image in another newslettter I do for Master Gardeners and one of them reponded to it, saying that I probably shouldn't have used that image.  Now, would that image be so 'old' and so very public that I could have used it?  Regarding the 'few' sites that carry free images, those images are usually not very attractive images which discourages me from even looking.  I do so wish I could make my own quality images.  I like to use really nice graphics for my newsletters.  I am still looking for ways to do this. 

Daddieo z3/4 VT said:

PLEASE READ: I joined while browsing this group with the thought of possibly doing so, but did so simply to respond to this Discussion.

The subject of copyright is a very valid concern, and I was impressed to see it brought up.  However, there is a VERY large misstatement  about the photos, graphics or ANYTHING published on any site on the web which does NOT say it is for distribution...and that includes the aforementioned Facebook, Myspace, etc.  You MAY NOT EVER take the intellectual property of another for any purpose, profit or not, without the express permission of the artist/author.  There is no such thing as "Public Domain" in the sense that has been brought forth here...that is a myth created by those going around stealing and abusing others' personal property for their own means and uses.

I have used, sold, displayed, and created artforms of many kinds for over fifty years...I have retained legal professionals to protect my interests, and the only time I have ever has to use them is to pursue and prosecute the blatant thieves claiming my work was "public domain" because I posted it on a social network.  They were removed from those networks, and legal sanctions were imposed upon them.

I very badly wanted to share this information with you because of that common misconception about the use of others personal property...your reasoning is almost akin to saying if I left my car parked out in front of your house next to the curb and walked away, and you felt like it would be nice to just take the car for a drive because I left it there, that there would be no legal consequences...or that the moral and ethical laws you would be breaking would be less.

On the internet, you have the great advantage, as a thief, of probably never being caught doing your "thing" by virtue of the size and complexity and the odds against you ever coming across the owner of the artwork you have taken.  That does not make it less wrong...

As Sheri said, there ARE places that are set up for this, the vast majority are NOT! EVERYONES work, whether written or drawn or painted or filmed...is copyrighted by its mere existence...it does NOT require a legal document saying so.  And if you are caught taking someones work, and they can prove that it is theirs and when they created it, etc., you would be in serious financial danger if they can prove you damaged them by stealing it...better yet, the judge could just decide to use you to set an example and seriously punish you for others education to copyright abuse!

I 'm sorry if this seems dramatic, but it is a SERIOUS problem for those trying to "get their work out there" and maybe gain a reputation and make a living doing what they do...

Also, Jeanne hit the nail right on the head...myself and everyone I know of the creative bent, have NEVER refused anyone that contacts us to use or copy a piece of our work for their personal enjoyment.  It's quite a compliment, and it is both an honor to be asked, and a joy to give permission.  Even if you wish to highly alter someone's art and make it something of your own...it is morally, but not legally, correct to contact the artist and let them know that you wish to do so...they will undoubtedly ask if they could see the result of YOUR work.

It would take you many hours, sitting with several astute copyright law attorneys to cover all the intricacies of this matter.  The only thing I wished to make clear is that it is NOT OK to go anywhere on the web and assume artistic materials are "public domain", legally or morally.

I would like to commend the asker of the original question...I like you a lot for that!  You're a good person.  Thank you.

 

Permalink Reply by Bonnie Hannum ~ Missouri, USA on September 30, 2011 at 2:53pm

Daddieo, thank you for posting and clearing that up.  Your scenerio of parking the car is exactly correct and a perfect analogy to use!   

It is a shame that there are so many people out there now who use a graphic without giving the original artist the credit for it.  

For those wishing to use the original artwork, please give them the credit they deserve and not claim it for your own.