Background Images Copyrights etc...

[jorton]

Currently you can find hundreds of background images on Google "Images" or similar by searching the interent. I find background images I like all the time and they eventually make their way through my Sagetv background rotation ,copyright or not, since I am just using for personal use and no one is going to lose any income or commision over it. I have visited most of the sites mentioned in these forums but can't always find a new image for a menu item. A lot of times I don't even use the whole image, I may just use a portion of it, add to it or change it in Photoshop to get the look I want.

What is the general concensus/feeling on what images can be safely included in with a "theme" without risking legal action?

Cheers,

Jeremy

[GKusnick]

For me it's not a question of legal action, it's a question of doing what's right. If the creator of an image doesn't want it redistributed without permission, that's their choice and we should respect that.

If they're OK with unrestricted third-party redistribution, they'll indicate that by placing their images under a suitable Creative Commons license, or something along those lines.

So for themes you intend to publish, you should try to discern what the image creator would want you to do and abide by that. Or create your own images and do with them as you please.

[RandyJohnson]

I second GKusnick's position.

Just because it is on the Internet, does not make it right to freely copy and redistribute.

You really need to secure the permission of the image's creator prior to redistribution.