When using images, Copyright is just the tip of the Iceberg according to Lisa Howard, known as lisadh on Squidoo. Citing Fair Use to justify using what are copyright images, that have not been made available to freely use, is a topic that has given rise to some pretty strong statements and debates in various Squidoo Networking Groups.
One of the biggest problems with Fair Use is that at the end of a day, only a Judge in a Law Court can confirm whether Fair Use applies in each case but most of us will not want to wait until we are sued to find out whether we have broken Fair Use laws or not.
Recently, via Facebook, I have been having a very good-natured private discussion with Lisa because there’s been some instances where we have contributed to discussions about Copyright, but have been coming at it from very different viewpoints.
Although we do not always agree, Lisa and I have a great respect and liking for each other, so I asked her if she would help me get my head around this “Fair Use business” by writing an article for Writing Online, which Lisa duly agreed to do.
One of the problems that a lot of new people face when they first publish on Squidoo is coming to grips with the fact that just because an image has been published in a very public platform (the Internet) does not necessarily mean it is their’s to copy and use on their own websites. I have written much on Copyright Infringements and How to Credit an Image, so I won’t repeat it here but Fair Use is something I have tended to steer clear of because I do not know enough about it.
My own view is that Fair Use is too much of a minefield to want to even go there, especially as I have never had a problem finding images that are free AND legal to use.
However, for those people who DO want to know more about Fair Use and how you may be able to apply it to images you want to use on your Squidoo Lenses and elsewhere, then I can thoroughly recommend Lisa’s article: Copyright is Just the Tip of the Iceberg: What About Fair Use?
Image Credit: Image found on wikipedia and has been released into the Public Domain
About AJ
Hi, AJ! I have a question. I had read an article some time ago on Squidoo (I believe it was yours) and it said that it’s okay to use an Amazon product image on the lens if you’re selling that product on the lens. But does the same hold true when I list that lens in the directory here? I have a lens about replacement furniture legs and I use one of the product photos as my intro photo on the lens. I would like to do the same with my directory listing of the lens, but I don’t want to get into trouble. What’s your opinion on this issue? Thanks!
A good question and one I have often pondered. The image is a thumbnail which counts in its favor and although Amazon TOS clearly state images must link to the product, or the text nearby must link to the product, given that they are embracing Pinterest where not all the images on there link to the product, I dont think you need worry about submitting your page to a Directory.
Hello.
When you mention linking in the text near by, how near would be near enough?
What can you do for sites that limit your ability to drop links? this can make it tricky to credit those Amazon images, I have been puzzled by the best way to do this.
I know on Hubpages you can just attribute when you upload the image and place the non affiliate link back to the image, but is this even allowed? since I am not using my affiliate code?
I can’t remember if Wizzley has this attribute link option when uploading or not, the link limits are frustrating on those other sites.
-Thanks.
For me “linking nearby” means in the same module that features the Image. So if I use an Amazon image in a Squidoo Intro module, I add a link at the bottom of the text something like “Featured Toy: [then insert the affiliate link]Name of Toy, available at Amazon”
I have seen some lenses where no link is in the intro module, and is further down the page and I think the general consensus is that this is OK.
With regard to other sites that limit outgoing links, all the sites I tend to use have Amazon Modules, which gets around this. For Wizzley, because you are not allowed to add your own Amazon.com links and you must use their Amazon modules, attribution like this is not an issue.
I believe that whether or not you use an Amazon affiliate link in the attribution is not the issue – as long as you link to the product page, then Amazon is not bothered if you have an affiliate link.