Level 75
In short check with blog owner.
2 likes
May 25, 2022
18
Level 7
Are there any legal issues using images from blogs?
Hi there!
I wonder, would there be any legal issue me using this image of the Stripe guys sitting https://www.inc.com/maria-aspan/stripe-breaks-into-cuba.html - and if yes, why and if no why?
If there a way to check if I can use that image on my site as a 'thumbnail' that's going to have a black background with opacity 80% in front?
I just wonder how much I can use and how much I can't. Just not quite sure if I can actually use that.
That image can also be seen used here: https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/05/03/pro-development-yimby-group-scores-1-million-from-stripe-tackle-housing-shortage/
I just wonder, because I want to do this for other sites too, like Nike, GymShark etc... what images I could or could not use etc.... just for thumbnails. Like they they'll just show in 20% of the image anyway, so you won't see 80% of the image basically, on my site.
Level 7
@jlrdw But if the image is used in different blogs, how would that work? : P
But I doubt they even reply to me.
Level 104
The photo is credited to Stripe on both blogs, suggesting that Stripe is the copyright holder.
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Level 7
@tykus Oh, so when they say (Photo courtesy of Stripe) - that means, they didn't necessary ask them if they can use it, but they hope they can, and if not, they'll just take it down right?
Level 7
@tykus So if I say "Coutesy of X" then its fine? I mean, I'm doing this by default lol because of the nature of the site I'm building anyway - going to link to the site and give them credit and stuff, its almost like a blog post for every company with a link to their site.
Level 122
@aurelianspodarec it's their copyright. If you use it without permission then you may need to take it down. Worse case you may be prosecuted
doesn't matter if it's a thumbnail, full size or overlaid with another image, it's still copyright theft if the owners have not licensed it for your use
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Level 104
@aurelianspodarec that is not what I was suggesting.
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Level 75
@aurelianspodarec sites normally show how to display their links. Just browse over the site.
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Level 7
How would you contact someone like Stripe or Nike and as them? I mean, with smaller businesses its easy, and its easy to get in touch with the owner, I already did that but, with companies that are more global, I mean, uffff. Don't even know where I'm meant to send this xd
Try to find an email and just spam it in hope for a reply?
Level 80
@aurelianspodarec When people create things, they automatically receive copyright (ownership) of the thing they’ve created. This includes photos.
Photos have an owner. They don’t come into existence on their own. And if you use a photo without the copyright owner’s permission, then that’s copyright infringement.
Just because a photo may be used in more than one place doesn’t automatically mean it’s fair game and that you can use it freely as well. You don’t know if the places you’ve seen the photo, whether that person obtained licensing or permission to use that photo or not.
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Level 7
@martinbean Right, okay. It makes sense.
I guess the only thing I can do is contact them, see if I can get ahold and get permission and if not just use stuff that I can meanwhile. If I can get the permission that'll add extra personality and such... but yeah, fair enough. Not the end of the world.
How I am meant to even contact Stripe and ask them?
Appreciate your answer, and others as well ^^
Level 25
@aurelianspodarec I'm sure they have a contact section on their website. You could go there and see if there is a form to fill out or an email address you could send a request to.
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Level 7
@aleahy I guess this
PRESS/MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT [email protected] NON-MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT https://support.stripe.com
Level 25
@aurelianspodarec Sounds most likely. If not them, then I'm sure they'll be able to redirect you.
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Level 6
Read this page on the stripe website.
In addtion, under section 6, it mentions:
If you have any questions about this Agreement, please don't hesitate to contact us at trademarks(at)stripe.com.
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Level 7
@FairlyIncognito Sure, but its not just about stripe, but basically ever single company - I just put stripe as an example.
I'd assume others will follow suit, but those who don't? Seems a lot of effort but maybe it'll be just one quick email and that's it. Might be worth the effort but we'll see.
I'll try with few and see how it goes.
Its good to know such page exists though, thanks for the answer :D At least I'll know what to be looking at now.
1 like
Level 35
I think you already have you answer but just to add something;
I can imagine it depends on what you do with the photo/illustration for an organization. If you write an article about that company / organization and you add a reference to the company and mention that it is their photo I don't think it will raise questions. You could always send them an email with the link to the article and ask them if they have any problems with the image. In that case you are pro-active and prevent any discussions later on.
However, if you use someone's photo/illustration and use it for your own gain than I can imagine they are less happy with it and might send you an email to ask you to take it down / pay a fee.
1 like
Level 7
@click Right. So I'm building a collection of companies. When you click one company, you will go to single-company.blade.php essentially and where you have company logo, founders, etc.... kinda like Wikipedia. And I just want to make it a bit more personal by including an image in the banner, where the logo, company details, site URL will be in front, and that image will also have a layer of black 30% opacity.
I know someone who got sued for £3k so I know that using images thinking no one will find out is stupid because its very easy to find images, unless you twist them or modify them in some ways, but you can just use google lense and that image will appear, I'm sure you have people that do this as work lol
So just need to be ware of custom images of companies, ultimately I just won't use them now, and later on as I improve my site just contact the companies just to add that extra touch for each page, give it more personality.
But I would assume you are correct, but who knows. I know you can do this for a parody right, or show it on a video here and there, just not 100% sure about my case.
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