Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Texas
I am a writer and occasionally would like to include illustrations for my blog site. My question:
If I find a picture, illustration, chart, etc., on the Internet may I copy, paste, re-size it for use on my blog without getting prior permission? What is the copyright consideration in this case? If the item is "out there" on the Internet is it considered in the public domain and available for public use?
Thank you.
Sandra Scott
Keller, Texas
2 Answer from Attorneys
No. Copyright is not forfeited by posting on the Internet, but as a practical matter it is like leaving valuables on the curb because you make it available for easy theft and most people are more than willing to take what seems to be able to be stolen with minimal risk. Stealing photos is illegal copyright infringement unless the photo has been dedicated to the public by agreement of the owner of the copyright. Also, a copy, even with mods, of a copy of a public domain item is usually still illegal as it steals the creative additional work of the prior copier.
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