Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a hardback copy of Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff!
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by Jamie
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| Image source: karindalziel |
- Photos I linked to but didn't upload myself in the early days have since been taken down, leaving my posts with gaping, blank holes in them.
- Most of the photos I've used here are probably protected by some kind of copyright.
In this day and age, copyright is a sticky situation, especially for bloggers. Time was, we could use whatever the hell we wanted so long as we weren't making money off of it, so it counted as fair use. These days bloggers are getting sued by owners and receiving take-down notices for using other images and videos, even if they attribute and link to the source. It's pretty scary, so I'm not taking any chances.
It'll take a while, but I plan on removing all images from this blog (almost 400 posts worth) and I'll be using either my own images or things that are okay to use under a Creative Commons Licence. As for things like book covers, author photos, movie posters and screenshots of movies and video games, I'm no sure. I plan on keeping these as is and then get in touch with publishers and getting their opinions. Watch this space!
Guest posts wanted!
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| Image source: leg0fenris |
I want YOU (yes, you), to wax lyrical here! I'm opening the doors for featured writers for a while, so if you want to write about anything related to blogging or the fantasy genre then let me know (a lot of other topics are fair game too, just let me know your idea)! Either pop a comment below or send me an email at mithrilwisdom@gmail.com and we'll take it from there!
What are your thoughts on using copyrighted images on your blogs? Do you have an idea for a guest post? Go crazy!
I think images such as book covers and movie posters are fair game because you are advertising for them. Think of all the movie and book blogger sites that feature those.
ReplyDeleteI'd be up for a guest post! Have to look at the insanity that is my blogging schedule first.
And I reviewed an album today that might interest you, Jamie!
Does Blogger have a media library where you can upload images for ready use??
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to my last post: 12 Steps To Implement A Powerful Image Strategy For Your Blog
There are numerous advantages to having a WordPress blog, and the "import" feature makes transferring content from Blogger to WordPress a breeze.
Good luck in your blogging efforts.
I might be up for a guest post. I'm not sure what I would talk about though. I love the lego picture.
ReplyDeleteJaims, first thing I saw this morning when I logged on was that it is 'International Speak Like a Pirate Day.' You may not remember this, but last year around this time in a response to a comment you made on Analog Breakfast, I told you a pirate joke. Well, you were the first person to come to my mind when I saw what is being celebrated today. :)
ReplyDeleteWeird, but well I just had to tell you. And I did read this post, I've just got 'Aaaargh!' on the brain.
Personally I hate the thought of posting pictures that you don't own. But being an artist I feel protective of other peoples work. Time and effort goes into making the pictures and people seem happy to nick them for themselves.
ReplyDeletePosters and covers though, I see them as a form of advertising anyway so I think they are fine. TBH I wouldn't be surprised if its in the contract when the art is made that it can be used anywhere.
these efforts to take control over internet really scares me.
ReplyDeleteHey if you fancy a guest post about how Urban Fantasy is being criminally 'girly porn'd' by whichever eejits decide on the covers these days, I'm your wolf!! (with an axe to grind, lols.) I don't think anyone reads my blog so I'm not worried about copyright, I only post covers anyways for the most part, and they're...well...covers...in the public domain...not a problem :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could, but I already owe several other people posts, and am probably going to be putting them off until I'm done with thesis in December. But if you want guest posts next year, I'll be first in line.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have been having to watch what images I post as well, these days. If it is a book cover, I think it would be okay to try and contact the author to make sure you have permission. (What author would say no??) And I would absolutely love to hijack your blog for a day! Might wanna hide the matches... XD
ReplyDeleteI figured that they would be fair game, but since even book covers have an attribution it made me wonder.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Let me know if you've got the time and I've got the place :)
Great stuff Charles, just let me know when you've got something in mind.
ReplyDeleteHa! Nice :) I almost missed talk like a pirate day today. Ya-har!
ReplyDeleteI thought that posters and that were okay to use, but it'll be good to get confirmation from publishers and that. My main worry is with author photos since they usually credit the photographer.
ReplyDeleteIt does suck, but if it protects artists and their work then I'm all for it.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't worried for a while, but the news of these take down notices is a little concerning.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool; I'll hold you to that :) GOod luck with your thesis! What's it on?
ReplyDeleteI've been taking down photos I don't own either on my blogs and created new ones with pictures I either took myself or are common use. I think you're okay with movie posters and book covers, though. Who doesn't like free advertisement?
ReplyDeleteBook bloggers have been posting covers for years. You're safe there. But that's why I've always used my own photos on my blog.
ReplyDeleteBad idea, most likely. I've been trying to use only CC or public domain images since the beginning of 2012; of course, before that it's a mess. And then there's the gray area of "fair use", which has been getting a lot of attention lately.
ReplyDeleteI have used a few photos that weren't mine, just to illustrate a point but I don't anymore - unless I get permission.
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome to hijack this place, Mel :) Just let me know what you wanna write about!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I think, though I want to be above board with everything :) I'm more interested in copyright issues surrounding pasting extracts from books.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be a long process, but I'll do the same eventually :)
ReplyDeleteThe whole fair use thing is a little annoying yet it's used so much but so difficult to defend!
ReplyDeleteEventually I'll be the same (hopefully), though it's going to take a long time!
ReplyDeleteIt took me a whole week to go through my posts and replace or remove images. Pain. In. The. Ass. But better than the alternative.
ReplyDeleteDamn straight, and thanks for pointing me in the right direction about the whole issue :)
ReplyDeleteI've always used my own photos or graphics or paid for them. As a graphic designer, there were no other options and I just stuck to that.
ReplyDeleteI did this awhile back after attending a talk by a local lawyer specializing in intellectual property. She scared me enough that I also stopped doing Teaser Tuesday, because I was afraid I was going to get in trouble with someone posting little bits from their books. I'd rather not be sued, though I'd immediately take something down if asked. This is a sue-happy era, though, and I'd rather not risk it. It only hurt really badly in one post, which I've yet to re-populate with photos. One of these days I need to, because it was one of my top posts.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
P.S. We should exchange guest posts one of these days! Let me get through the stress that is October first and then I should be game.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to have to get to better grips with Photoshop (or make more photos with Lego models!)
ReplyDeleteVery true; you can't be too careful. Good point on Teaser Tuesdays too; Ill see if I can get in touch with some publishers and see what they say about that.
ReplyDeleteA post swap sounds awesome! Just let me know when you're free and we'll sort something out :)
I went through my blog and deleted any pictures I was unsure about. Like others, I think book covers and movie posters are fine. I did wonder about movie scenes though, as aren't those pictures attributed to a particular photographer? I would be up for a guest post swapping adventure. :) Not sure about the topic--if there is anything particular you would like me to write about, let me know! Otherwise I will keep thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome, I'd love to have you! I'm pretty open for topics, just let me know what you fancy :)
ReplyDelete