Legal Question in Technology Law in Hawaii

Internet graphics/pictures and copyright Laws

My question concerns the copyright laws regarding images created by other people that are down-loadable from websites either via zip files or simply right-clicking on a image and doing a "save as.." onto your hard drive. Once downloaded, these pictures have no copyright logo or information on them whatsoever. As a freelance computer programmer I sometimes use graphics to spice-up and add appeal to the applications that I write. What is the Law regarding adding 3rd party items (such as images) to software I am paid to develop. Some of my software is distributed free of charge, are the laws different if I'm not being paid? Again, these images and pictures are available over the internet and do not have any copyright warnings on them. Are they considered public domain then, and can I use them in my work without fear of breaking copyright law?


Asked on 6/22/00, 9:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Julio C. Alejandro Julio C. Alejandro Serrano Attorney at Law

Re: Internet graphics/pictures and copyright Laws

All intelectual property is covered by the US copyright law wich was expressly authorized by the Constitution.

Depending on the website in which you acquired such images; use will be subject to limitations. Check whether there is express permission to use the images. Otherwise; they will be protected and you would need consent from each author. Even if you are not getting paid to develop the software, you are subject to fair use limitations which are in themselves complex enough to warrant for serious legal advice, which this message does not constitute.

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Answered on 9/04/00, 11:22 pm


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