I read agent Kristin Nelson's post on Friday, where one of her clients shared how she was sued for posting a photo on her blog. The story is a cautionary one for all of us who use photos to make our blog posts more interesting.
Roni Loren, author of Crash Into You, became embroiled in a lawsuit after posting a photo on her blog. The photographer (within his rights) asked her to take it down, but subsequently sued Loren for damages. Read the whole story in Loren's blog post. The comments are worth reading, too.
Loren admits she was in error, though she had no idea that being ignorant of the law is not an excuse. She shares tips with bloggers to prevent them from finding themselves in the same situation she encountered. Loren gives links to sites where bloggers can find photos that are truly free to use, and also shares more information from her friend Meghan Ward.
It's important for those of us who blog to read this information carefully, and use it to help decide what we share on our blogs. But not only there, because the rules of copyright also apply to Facebook, Pinterest, and Tumblr, among many others.
As writers, we'd hate for someone to share our words without attribution, permission, or compensation. Photographers endure this all the time. For myself, I use either my own photos, or those from Stock.xchng, a free site with a huge number of images.
How do you handle images on your blog? Do you stay away from them completely? Only use your own? Or pay for the ones you use?
Hi Debbie. I use free digital photos and creative commons. I also adore the graphics fairy. Pictures in the public domain are also nice to use.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link - I always give credit for where I got photos from, but sounds like it's best to either use your own or make sure you get your work from a free site.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie! More good info;)
ReplyDeleteI read that post. It was very unfortunate. Thank-you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, this is a great post and as the daughter of a photographer and an artist I appreciate you bringing this issue to light. Unfortunately, so many people don't really know what constitutes Public Domain and don't realize that just crediting a source does NOT give the permission to use the image. Blessings, Edie
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I'm off to read your links.
ReplyDeleteI usually post photo credit under my blog - but lately I've been trying to use more of my own pics
I'm grateful for your post, Debbie, and the links to other blogs and sites. I've also tweeted this post...we need to pass the warning on to others! Such a shame that folks take drastic measures to punish those who innocently display photos...
ReplyDeleteIt really is scary what can happen if you're not aware of the laws. I'm so glad to have read Roni"s post so I have a better idea how to keep out of hot water!
ReplyDelete~Debbie
It seems easier to use my own or ones I know 100 percent I have permission to use. I find the "free" site difficult to navigate, because I never seem to find the free photos. After studying some graphic design software, I may "create" some of my own work in the near future.
ReplyDeleteI either use my own photos on my blog or ones from freedigitalphotos.net. When I use that site, I always post on my blog the specific photo attribution the site requests.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links. I had already read Kristin's post about this, but not Loren's. Off to do that now.
Be well, my friend! :-)
Thanks Debbie. I'll also read the links. I use Wylio to find creative commons photos, but will be glad to find more "legal" options. I'm also trying to use more of my own - encouraging more creativity!
ReplyDeleteStacy, it's a great idea to create your own. I'd never thought about that option!
ReplyDeleteJanette, I've not looked at that site yet. I'll definitely check it out.
Julia, I hadn't heard of Wylio before. I'm learning a lot this week!
~Debbie