Copyright Infringment Project

What is the purpose of Copyright Law?

The primary purpose of copyright law is to promote the progress of science, art, and intellectual culture by granting authors and creators exclusive rights to their original works. It encourages creation by providing economic incentives and legal protection, allowing creators to earn a living and control how their work is used, distributed, or adapted, ultimately benefiting the public.

What are the different copyright categories?

What category do images fall under?

Images typically fall under the category of visual arts

What copyright categories are you allowed to use for your website?

You can copyright original creative content on your website

How can you find images that you are allowed to use?

Finding images authorized for use involves searching via tools that filter for licenses like Creative Commons or public domain, such as using the "Usage Rights" filter in Google Images

Steps To Find Legal Images While Using Google Images Search Tools

1. Navigate to Google Images and enter your search query.
2. Click the Tools button located below the search bar.
3. Click the Usage Rights drop-down menu.
4. Select Creative Commons licenses to find images that are generally free to use, or Commercial & other licenses for broader permissions.
5. Note: For more specific, safe, and high-quality images, always click the image, then click "License details" to confirm the terms.

How can you check to see if an image you are using is legal for you to use?

1. Look for an image credit or contact details
2. Look for a watermark
3. Check the image’s metadata
4. Do a Google reverse image search

How will you be contacted if you are caught using a copyrighted image illegally?

If you are caught using a copyrighted image illegally, you will typically be contacted by email, certified letter, or through a DMCA takedown notice

What are the penalties and/or fees for illegally using a copyrighted image?

Illegally using a copyrighted image can result in severe civil and criminal penalties, with potential fines ranging from $750 to $150,000 per image in statutory damages.

What do you need to do to copyright protect your images?

If you’re emailing your photos to your aunt or college roommate, you likely don’t need to register the images or even place the copyright symbol on them. However, if you’re selling your photos online or placing them on your blog or on any social media, there are proactive steps you should likely take. A good general rule to determine those proactive copyright steps is to first decide whether you would actually enforce your rights against any unauthorized uses.

How can you find out if someone is using one of your copyrighted images online?

To find if someone is using your copyrighted images online, use reverse image search tools like Google Lens, TinEye, or Bing Visual Search, which identify unauthorized copies by scanning the web for your uploaded photos. Automated services such as Pixsy or ImageRights can also monitor for infringement, while checking metadata and watermarks can verify ownership.

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