With all the stories out there of internet users getting sued for using illegal copyrighted images of a celebrity without the photographer's permission, I need to get a question cleared of so I never get sued. Since I provide web design services, if a client were to come to me to design them a layout featuring Christina Aguilera and they provided me with the pictures, is that illegal? What if the client had purchased the images with an image account? Are those images still illegal?
Now say the client already designed the layout and just wanted me to code it for them. Is me coding their illegal layout illegal?
And what if I put in my disclaimer of my site and portfolio that my job was to only provide a service, not to steal images.
In my country, images are celebs are legal. If you set them up to pay to get them, then it is illegal. If you use them for personal use and non-commerical use, then it is legal.
It all depends on your country. Ask your govornment, lawyer etc.. (if you have one)
Hmm... So you're saying that it would be illegal for me to design a layout with celebrity images and sell it? Would you say it would be illegal for me to code a layout that I did not design that contained celebrity images and sell it for a price?
Just write in the terms and conditions or agreement that all the images provided to me are given by the customers and i take no responsibility from where image has benn taken. and have your customer sign on it.
Its almost as much about where the image came FROM, so taking a photo from a news site and using it is probably a violation of copyright no matter who gave it to you. If they came from a legitimate source, and you can prove it, there are no issues as long as the terms of the image allow it to be used in such a way. You need to know where it came from, and find out what limitations that image has attached. Even if you use it knowingly, I would imagine you could get wrapped up on some problematic legalities that are not worth it.
If the client has the rights to the photo for use on his web site or a buyout there is no problem. I would check out www.asmp.org (American Society of Media Photographers). They have plenty of info on usage and you should be able to email them. They are the oldest photographic community in the world. They will know for sure.
Best of luck. Copyright infringement can be a big deal.
Hm... I think the part where I take no responsibility for the images provided sounds fair, but then again, life's not fair. If I refuse to provide my services to those with celebrity images for fansites (since I do a lot of non-commercial work), I'd lose all my business.
I don't use the images, but the clients provide them to me to design their layout.
I know that if litigation ever happens they take everyone they can. You might get off but you will have to pay a lawyer and that will cost $$$. Please check your rights at asmp.org That is part of why they exist.
Best of luck
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