Is it illegal to download pictures from another website and post them on my own website?

Question

Is it illegal to download pictures from another website and post them on my own website?

Answer 1

Yes if there is a copyright on it. normally on the corner somewhere or possibly on the whole thing.

Answer 2

Yes, it's illegal, without permission of the owner of those pictures.

In the internet, "clip-art" or avatar's are considered "public domain" and anyone can use them.

But most pictures belong to someone, and they may not like the way you use THEIR pictures on your webpage, you may be not respecting their privacy.  Would you want your children's pictures put on someone else's webpage?

However, even if illegal, people mostly get away with it, unless someone sues, and often a lawsuit costs more in money and time than it's worth.

But, if you don't want to be considered a "thief" or doing something illegal, don't use pictures that are not your own, unless they are not being distributed widely, or used in a way that would harm someone, and their privacy.

The John McCain campaign recently used pictures of Paris Hilton, for example, without her permission, and Wendy's Hamburgers used "50 Cents" pictures in their commercials about cheap 99 cent menu.

In both cases, it has opened up pandora's box of more law suits to enforce privacy, and copyright laws.

Answer 3

i think so im pretty sure it is

Answer 4

The easy answer is, it could be. Pictures are "intellectual property" (IP) subject to copyright laws. Pictures on a website are considered "published" by most jurisdictions which have copyright laws.  The problem, legally speaking, comes from whether or not the pictures are published in the same country as the person who "steals" them and republishes them.  So, if you steal a picture from a web site which is published in the US, but you're in Taiwan, you may have violated US copyright laws, but you would not be subject to prosecution and would be unlikely to be sued because Taiwan doesn't enforce US copyright laws.  If you're in the UK, however, you might have problems and if you're in the US you could be subject to being sued if the original owner of the IP finds out you stole them and chooses to sue.

That said, all legalities aside, using someone else's IP without their permission *is* stealing, no matter how you look at it. It's unethical, and often unnecessary.  Most people who post pictures and images on the Internet are not doing so for commercial purposes and will grant you permission to use their IP if you just ask, and will be flattered that you want to do so.  It's polite to give them credit in your copyright statement footer and to create a link back to their site even if they don't request that you do so as a condition of using their stuff.

Answer 5

if they are copywrited

Answer 6

No, U are able to do it on Zwinky..Gaia.net...Myspace..So yes...

Answer 7

It's only legal as long as you write next to the picture which site it came from...

Answer 8

No it is not illegal but if you put a picture on your site and they find out, if they have a copyright they can sew you.

Answer 9

Yes, it is, without owner's permission.

Answer 10

only if the website dosent allow it try photobucket its free easy and leagal and the have a picture of almost everything.

Answer 11

Umm it just depends, that website most likley did the same thing

but if they have an email link i would ask them about it first!!

or you could just go to google and get some images!

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