Website Copyright Issues

Each website owner has to own the rights or have permission to use the content on his/her website. In the beginning of the Internet people felt they could use anything “up there”.  Artists and musicians were the first to be hit. ASCAP has gone a long way in protecting digital rights for musical compositions and continues.

Now web users recognizes theft of music and art, but photos are still being grabbed from websites. As a website owner you are liable for the content of your website.

Recently a nonprofit organization had an image donated through a prior connection many years ago. It turned out that “donation” was a reworked art from a museum. A letter was sent to the organization to pay a sizable sum. They have pulled it down and hope this and an apology will be enough. The sender of the letter has deep pockets, they go after people on a regular basis.

With digital cameras and Photoshop mediocre photos can be polished and “pop”. If you need a studio shot iStock photo is an affordable resource. You purchase the RIGHTS to use the photo. Done deal. Read the fine print as ALL rights are NOT included. Most of the time anything you print and resell will NOT be allowed. You can use the purchased image in your print ads, but not to put on a mug and sell. For less than $2 you are headache free.

This also includes written content. You cannot copy and paste from another website. Besides that issue: Google will recognize duplicate content and you lose value with Google.  Websites exist to help write your content.

After you launch your website you don’t want any legal headaches.