Legal question, sort of...

[Moozillion]

I was wondering if photos posted here are regarded as "Public Domain." That is, if someone were to see a tortoise photo here they liked, use it in an unrelated photo competition, or to make a painting or fiber art or whatever, then sell it- would that be some sort of violation? Just askin'...

 

[Yvonne G]

In my opinion, one cannot assume 'ownership' once a photo, comment or post has gone out into the 'ether.' This is why I think it's a good idea to watermark one's pictures. There have been instances of people using Greg's pictures to sell their aldabra tortoises. And Tyler (tortoisesupply) had someone using his logo for their own purposes, just making a few minor changes to it.

I use Google Images a lot. Occasionally my own pictures turn up in the search I've made. Anyone who sees a picture on Google images might think it would be ok to use the results of their search for their own purposes. But if the pictures were watermarked, they would be less inclined to do so.

 

[Moozillion]

Thanks, Yvonne! makes perfect sense!

 

[dmmj]

Every picture posted on the internet ( every picture) is owned by me, so there.
As far as I know pictures are owned by the person who takes it. Again as far as I know just because you post it on a forum, does not make it public domain. Though you know what they say about free legal advice.

 

[Moozillion]

Every picture posted on the internet ( every picture) is owned by me, so there.
As far as I know pictures are owned by the person who takes it. Again as far as I know just because you post it on a forum, does not make it public domain. Though you know what they say about free legal advice.

It may or may not be that simple. My hubby is a professional photographer, and has a blog as well as an online gallery, so image ownership is a hot topic. I think Yvonne's answer matches closely with what is in line with photography in general.
But private forums, where purpose, information and membership are limited, may be governed by different laws. Hmmm...maybe I should pm Josh: if this site "belongs" to him, HE might have ownership of what's posted here...

 

[jaizei]

It may or may not be that simple. My hubby is a professional photographer, and has a blog as well as an online gallery, so image ownership is a hot topic. I think Yvonne's answer matches closely with what is in line with photography in general.
But private forums, where purpose, information and membership are limited, may be governed by different laws. Hmmm...maybe I should pm Josh: if this site "belongs" to him, HE might have ownership of what's posted here...

I do not think that is true. I am not and cannot speak for Josh, but owners of sites that feature member contributed content generally disavow ownership of that content.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/help/terms

 

[HLogic]

For the most part, site owners "claim" ownership of any media posted, uploaded, etc. to their systems. In most regards, authorship = ownership, which is why the administrative branch of gov't can use images of one doing something contrary to the rules as evidence against them.

 

[Moozillion]

I do not think that is true. I am not and cannot speak for Josh, but owners of sites that feature member contributed content generally disavow ownership of that content.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/help/terms

Gotcha! THANKS!

 

[Moozillion]

For the most part, site owners "claim" ownership of any media posted, uploaded, etc. to their systems. In most regards, authorship = ownership, which is why the administrative branch of gov't can use images of one doing something contrary to the rules as evidence against them.

Thanks!

 

[Moozillion]

I do not think that is true. I am not and cannot speak for Josh, but owners of sites that feature member contributed content generally disavow ownership of that content.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/help/terms

THANKS, jaizei- that link answered my question perfectly!!!

 

[smarch]

In my opinion, one cannot assume 'ownership' once a photo, comment or post has gone out into the 'ether.' This is why I think it's a good idea to watermark one's pictures. There have been instances of people using Greg's pictures to sell their aldabra tortoises. And Tyler (tortoisesupply) had someone using his logo for their own purposes, just making a few minor changes to it.

I use Google Images a lot. Occasionally my own pictures turn up in the search I've made. Anyone who sees a picture on Google images might think it would be ok to use the results of their search for their own purposes. But if the pictures were watermarked, they would be less inclined to do so.

Maybe its because i'm speaking as a student who has the idea of citing things crammed in her head, or manybe its because i'm an artist and would never take peoples stuff anyways, but it genuinely confuses and frustrates me that people think its ok to just take something, even if they don't try to sell it or anything, I try my hardest even when sharing something that amuses me, to give due credit. I've been meaning to start watermarking my photos just so people can't just call something theirs, and if they don't site at least the veiwers would be seeing a kind of built in citation in the picture itself.

 

[HLogic]

Maybe its because i'm speaking as a student who has the idea of citing things crammed in her head, or manybe its because i'm an artist and would never take peoples stuff anyways, but it genuinely confuses and frustrates me that people think its ok to just take something, even if they don't try to sell it or anything, I try my hardest even when sharing something that amuses me, to give due credit. I've been meaning to start watermarking my photos just so people can't just call something theirs, and if they don't site at least the veiwers would be seeing a kind of built in citation in the picture itself.

Unfortunately, you are in the minority (or a very quiet majority) when it comes to 'taking' [pun intended] credit. With respect to ownership, read the legalese twist of the license one grants to any of the content storage sites. All of the privileges are granted with none of the liability. That, in my book, is better than ownership!