Blogging Photo Rights 101

OK, I’ve gotten a few questions off line about not being able to use photos and what you can use. I use the same mentality we used at AOL for using 3rd party photos.

The best idea is to ask to use a photo if you’d like to use it. Be honest and upfront about using someone else’s photos. Most time alot of people (non-pros) will be open to letting you use photos. Give a link to their page and always credit them. While I don’t particular like the photo stealing going on at Flickr, some users of the site don’t mind if people use their photos.  Check the usage marked on Flickr photos and you may be able to use some of the photos there.

Publicity photos. Musicians, movies, etc have publicity photos taken. They are for exactly that, press or publicity of the artist, show, movie, whatever. We took the stance at AOL that we are giving the artist, ect. press, which is what they want and the photos are paid for with that use in mind, so they are fair use. There are of course exceptions to this, generally if the artist is using a photograph and there is no photo credit with the image it was bought outright from the photographer to be used in this matter and can be used. But again, asking is the best way to make sure.

Take your own damn photos. Woody has been doing good job of this. Besides, check out his blog, it’s amusing most of the time.

Buy photos, most of us don’t have the $ for this, but you can set up accounts at Getty and other stock agencies and you can get very nice photos and make sure they are legal.

I am in no way a legal expert, but I have quite a bit of experience at photo rights and ethics. I claim no responsibility for anyone getting sued for copyright infringement or anything else for the advice given here. Use your head.