Hello, I've recently started to make a website for our business. I know little about these things so I have a question. If I want to post pictures on my site, pictures I've found elsewhere on the internet, do I just do it, or is there a procedure to follow? I know that copyright laws are out there, and I don't want to get into trouble.
Example: There is one picture I want to put onto the site, it is one of those 'someecards'. Can I just save that & post it on my site w/out consequence?
Thanks!

You can get away with a lot of things on a small personal website that will get you in trouble with a commercial or business website.


You never want to "just do" anything. While there ARE public domain photos out there... there are quite a few that aren't. Tracking it down leaves you in a quandary. Just because you try and don't find anything doesn't let you off the hook.

And why its better to take your own... or purchase one rather than just snatching one someplace. Easier to prevent the problem... before it becomes a problem.

A lot depends on the site the picture is on and the nature of the picture. Best to send an e-mail to the webmaster of that site to ask permission to use the picture.

Hello, I've recently started to make a website for our business. I know little about these things so I have a question. If I want to post pictures on my site, pictures I've found elsewhere on the internet, do I just do it, or is there a procedure to follow? I know that copyright laws are out there, and I don't want to get into trouble.
Example: There is one picture I want to put onto the site, it is one of those 'someecards'. Can I just save that & post it on my site w/out consequence?
Thanks!

The quick rule of thumb is, ask permission from the owner of the image. Especially as a business website. What you do and post on that website is done as an extension of the business and as such the business is libel for damges resulted from that website. So if you pirate images and use them without permission then the company will be the target of the lawsuit. Not to mention the bad press that would follow from it. I would be VERY careful doing this. I would also talk to your managers about what funds are available to you for purchasing copyrights.

Tread carefully.