Booooze

Hey guys.

So letely, I've been thinking about projects that I coudl do, and I think I have finally come up with something. Unfortunatley, I have a small set back. As mentioned, it pertains (maybe) some copyright issues. Believe me, I'm no lawyer, and whether I execute this project or not, I would still like to know the answers for future use. If I right a document, but use other websites as a reference for my document, is it legal? I beleive it is, it's just like writing a essay for school, but I just want confirmation, as it would be published on the internet. Please note, I would give credit where credit is due. Next off, what about images? I would want to put images in the article, but unfortunatley, would not be able to take my own. If I were to use images from other websites (once again giving credit where it's due), would that be legal? I ask simply because other people would be seeing it, and how would I know if the image is roaylty free or whatever? Last thing I want to do is get sued. lol. I truly don't know sh*t about this stuff. Thanks.

Sane

If you're just making references to written matieral, and explicitely give credit to them, then I believe it is fine. As long as you're not copying entire articles for the purpose of having material on your site. I believe its pretty much common sense here.

I'd suggest you google "internet copyright laws" or something.

For the images, all images on the internet are automatically copywritten, unless stated otherwise. You can only use them if it states on their website that the image is NOT copywritten, and that you may use it for the purposes that you intend to.

However... IANAL TINLA!!!!

big_k105

I would think it would be perfectly fine. but I would contact the owner of the document you are referencing so that you know for sure that they won't get upset with it. also when it comes to the images I would ask the owner about those too to make sure they won't get mad but then again I am no lawyer so either contact everyone that owns the stuff you want to use and see what they say. I am sure if you give credit where credit is due then I am sure they won't care to much. but talking to a lawyer is always the safest route to make sure you are not in the wrong.

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Booooze

Yeah. I figured the written material would be fine, if I just gave reference to the site. I don't think it would matter because all it would be is information put into my own words, not actually copying full articles, or sentences. As for the images, that's where I'm stuck. Isn't it that soon as an image is changed, it's (like) new? Therefore, copyright of the new image goes to the editor?

Zap

BTW.... I am currently going to law school.... Um, put simply, United States law dictates that if you use intellectual property (for example, articles and images) You must ask the owner.

DaWei

I would give you this advice: don't seek legal advice from untrained people. If you can't afford an attorney, search the hell out of sites and forums that have qualified people. Warm, fuzzy feelings you get from friend's advice aren't worth a fart in a tornado if someone raises a legal issue with you.

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Zap

Well put.

Booooze

@Zap - If that law were true, wouldn't that mean that everytime a student in say, high school writes an essay about shakespeare, wouldn't they have to ask every webmaster (per site they come across) for permission to use information from their site in the students homework?

If that is true, then I have already broken the law:p ... several times. Check out Sparknotes.com. You can bet a ton of students use that to help write their homework.

As for the written part, as far as I have been taught in school, long as it ain't plagarizing, and you give reference, you are good to go. Images are a different story.

@Dawei - Your probably right. I'm going to look into some more advice on this.

Thanks all of you.

Booooze

http://law.freeadvice.com/intellectu..._right_use.htm

found the answer to my question there:p

still looking...

Zap

There are quite a few exceptions. If what your using it for is not fair use, then you must ask permission, if you use intellectual property. In the certain cases, you're professor or teacher must teach you how to make the correct citations.