Blog Photo Crackdown

I’ve combed my website and blogs after recent discussions among writers about online photo/image usage. Turns out, if you can’t find copyright information on the image it doesn’t mean it’s safe or legal to use (even on Facebook). If you’re in doubt about the source and licensing of a picture you desire to include on your blog—just don’t use it. You might like the color and flavor it adds. However, unless it’s determined who the originator is it’s best to assume that it’s not free and clear—even though bloggers everywhere seem to be copying, pasting, and sharing galore.

Since the topic has been brought to my attention, I for one certainly don’t want to infringe on another’s creative work, credit, or livelihood. When I search for a photo for a post, I’ll be closely examining the particular licensing terms. For fees, sometimes nominal, you can set up accounts with photo stock sites. If you’re bent on utilizing only public domain content, there are options such as Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons, Flickr Advanced Search, FreeRangeStock, etc., to search, nevertheless, closely check the terms. An author might allow free usage but only in exchange for specified attribution.
 
As always, living and learning today, however slow.