What are the consequences if I violate copyright law?
July 6, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Chloé Tressel
Dear lawyer,
I am reaching out to you because I am very concerned about the potential consequences if I violate copyright law. I operate a small online shop where I sell handmade products. Lately, I have been using images from the internet more frequently to promote my products. I have heard that this could potentially be a violation of copyright law, but I am not sure what the consequences could be for me.
Currently, I am in a legal gray area and do not know how to properly conduct myself to avoid violating copyright law. I am afraid that this could lead to legal issues for me and I want to avoid this at all costs. That is why it is important for me to understand what consequences I could face if I continue to use images without permission.
Could you please explain to me what legal actions could be taken against me if I violate copyright law? Are there any ways to protect myself from potential consequences? I am willing to change my approach to avoid legal problems, but I urgently need your help to make the right decision.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Hildegard Möller
Dear Mrs. Möller,
Thank you for your message and your interest in my advice regarding copyright. It is good that you are informing yourself about possible consequences and are willing to adjust your approach to avoid legal problems.
When using images from the internet to promote your products, you must be careful not to commit copyright infringement. Copyright protects works such as images, texts, music, and other creative creations from unauthorized use. Therefore, if you use images without the permission of the creator, you are committing a copyright infringement.
The consequences of violating copyright can vary depending on the severity of the infringement. In the worst case scenario, legal actions such as warnings, claims for damages, or even injunctions may be threatened. These can lead to high financial burdens and seriously jeopardize your business.
To protect yourself from such consequences, you should only use images for which you have the explicit permission of the creator. This can be done through the purchase of licenses, the use of Creative Commons images, or the creation of your own images. It is important to always clarify the rights to the images used and, if necessary, to document them in writing.
I strongly recommend that you reconsider your current approach and ensure that you only use images that are legally used. This way, you can avoid legal problems and protect your business in the long term.
If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, I am happy to help.
Best regards,
Chloé Tressel, Attorney
