Can I use this random image found on the internet for my design?

A client has sent me a link to an image he found on the web. It looks like an image taken from a shot of a computer screen, and is most likely not a copyright protected image. Still, it is hosted on someone else%26#039;s page and I%26#039;m reluctant to use it. Is there some way I can verify whether or not that this image is ok to use?

Can I use this random image found on the internet for my design?

If the page it is posted on is the original creator of the image, you need to ask permission, however if the original creator cannot be found or you can find the image in many, many places, it is fine to use, just don%26#039;t credit the picture as yours.

Can I use this random image found on the internet for my design?

I don%26#039;t mean to disagree with malice with the previous post, but when it comes to designing something it is not enough to simply cite the source of your inspiration as to avoid copyright infringement. For example: using common sense, if I had made a soft drink and put the Coca Cola label on it, but cited that it was not my original design, do you not think that Coca Cola would sue me for copyright infringement? You bet they would.

Anyhow,that random image you found on the internet which you are assuming has no copyright, does in fact have a copyright according to the U.S. Copyright revisions of 1976 which automatically grants copyright status to any and all photographs(illustrations, designs etc...) and abolishes the need for common-law copyright. Here is an article from a well respected design publication on the subject of the copyright revisions of 1976. http://www.commarts.com/ca/collegal/leoD...

The only way that you would legally be able to use that image is to contact the person who holds the copyright to the image and ask for permission to use it (sometimes the person who holds the copyright may not be the person who took the image as you can transfer copyright or most commonly if you work for say a news agency the copyright belongs to the organization and not the individual as per contract) , or if the image has entered into public domain which you can read more about on the link I gave to you. Lastly, you can use the image under terms of %26quot;fair use%26quot; but from what you have said, this is not an issue of fair use but rather a client approaching you to create a design.

Other Replys:If someone created it, copyright is infered to the piece. It doesnt have to be registered.

So, if someone took the time to create the image, and post it on a site, try contacting the site to see what you need to do to get a written agreeement to use the image.

If the site itself stole it from someone else, you might not find the originator for permission to use it.

Other Replys:No. The original creator automatically holds the copyright even if no documentation was filed with the copyright registration office. Either you or your clients needs to contact the web site owner to determine if that image is theirs. They might very well have gotten the image from a clip-art package or something similar that you can pick up for your own use.

Other Replys:seriously, thats will be very messy for you and the client... really, if you cant find the owner, dont bother with it cause, chances are, once you use it, the owner will find you. Rule of thumb, if the rights of use canot be secured, do not use the item... Heck, i see Mcdonalds wrappers all over the ground and there isnt a mcdonalds in sight, i guess that means i can use the golden arches for my webpage huh... NOT! good luck.