Can I use foreign pictures on my website if I provide the source?
February 27, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Verena Friedendahl
Dear copyright lawyer,
My name is Christiane Breitwieser and I run a website where I write about various topics and also use images for illustration purposes. Lately, I have been using more images from the internet that I like and that fit well with my posts. I always provide the source from which I obtained the image.
However, I am now concerned about whether it is legally acceptable to publish images from others on my website, even if I provide the source. I do not want to violate copyright laws in any way and want to make sure that I am doing everything correctly.
My concerns stem from the fact that I am not exactly sure about the legal implications of using others' images on the internet. Are there specific rules I need to follow to avoid copyright infringement? Should I refrain from using images from others or is there a way to use them legally?
I would greatly appreciate your assessment and any possible solutions so that I can continue using my website without violating copyright laws.
Sincerely,
Christiane Breitwieser
Dear Mrs. Breitwieser,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the use of external images on your website and your concerns regarding possible copyright infringements. It is commendable that you are thinking about how to act legally correctly.
In copyright law, it is generally the creator of an image, usually the photographer or graphic designer, who holds the rights to it. This means that you are not allowed to publish external images on your website without the permission of the copyright holder, even if you provide the source. Even if you cite the source, it does not change the fact that you are not allowed to use the image without the author's consent.
However, there are ways to legally use images without violating copyright. One option is to use royalty-free images. There are numerous providers on the internet that offer royalty-free images that you can use for your website without getting into legal trouble. One well-known provider is Pixabay, for example.
Another option is to use Creative Commons-licensed images. You can choose from various licenses that grant you different usage rights. It is important to check the respective license and ensure that you use the images in accordance with the license terms.
If you still want to use images from the internet, I recommend obtaining the permission of the copyright holder. Often, you can contact the author and ask for permission to use the image. Some authors may require a licensing fee for the use of their images, while others may be willing to provide the image to you for free.
In any case, it is important that you educate yourself on the legal aspects related to the use of images on the internet and ensure that you do not commit any copyright infringements. I hope that my information helps you and that you can continue to operate your website legally in the future.
Sincerely,
Verena Friedendahl
