Am I allowed to publish screenshots of foreign websites?
December 10, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Otto Schäfer
Dear lawyer,
My name is Andreas Koch and I have a question regarding internet and computer law. I run a blog where I regularly write about various topics. Often, I want to use screenshots from other websites in my posts to clarify or support my statements. However, I am unsure if I am allowed to publish screenshots of other websites.
I want to make sure that I am not violating copyright or other laws. Is it legally permissible to publish screenshots of other websites? Are there specific rules or restrictions that I need to consider?
My goal is to make my posts as visually appealing as possible, but at the same time, I want to ensure that I do not get into any legal trouble. I am concerned that I may be infringing on copyright or other laws if I use screenshots from other websites.
Could you please advise me on whether I can legally publish screenshots of other websites and what steps I may need to take to protect myself? Is there a way to use screenshots without running into legal issues?
Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Andreas Koch
Dear Mr. Koch,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding internet and computer law. It is understandable that you are concerned about whether you are allowed to use screenshots of other websites in your blog without infringing copyright or other laws. I will be happy to explain in detail what needs to be considered.
In general, screenshots of other websites are protected by copyright, as they are considered graphic representations of works under copyright law. This means that you generally need permission from the rights holder to publish screenshots of their website. Without this permission, you would be violating copyright law.
However, there are exceptions and ways in which you can legally use screenshots. One option, for example, would be to use screenshots that you have created yourself. So if you take a screenshot of a website to illustrate a specific point, and then use it in your blog, that would usually be unproblematic.
Another option would be to use screenshots that fall under a certain type of fair use, such as the right to quote. The right to quote allows you to quote excerpts from copyrighted works to support an argument or engage in a discussion, for example. However, certain conditions must be met, such as providing a source and complying with the right to quote.
It is important to note that the legal situation regarding the use of screenshots of other websites is not clear-cut and needs to be examined on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, it is advisable to seek legal advice if in doubt to ensure that you do not encounter any legal issues.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or require individual advice, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Otto Schäfer
