Protection to the Creative
Leave My Pictures Alone, Ya Hear!

As much as possible, use pictures that are known to be in the public domain. The Finding Graphics Files page of this web site gives links to public domain graphics.

Don't download graphics that are obviously copyrighted.  These include company logos, graphics from sites owned by corporations, pictures from sites owned by art galleries, and pictures from portfolios of individual artists.

After you have located graphics that you would like to use in your web site, study the web sites containing the graphics to see if the sites give limitations on the use of information in the sites. These limitations might be (a) copyright notices for the sites, and (b) specific comments about use of the information. Keep in mind, however, that pictures can be copyrighted even though a copyright notice isn't publicly displayed.

If, after having complied with these or similar suggestions, you believe the graphics are in the public domain, send e-mail to the webmasters of the sites asking permission to download the graphics. Keep copies of the e-mail.

If you don't receive responses from the webmasters, make your own decision about downloading the graphics. Keep in mind that others can not be held responsible for your actions in this regard.

These comments apply to written works as well as to pictures.

If you're interested in delving into copyright law in more depth, check out the links in the Links page. One good site is Cyberspace and New Media Law Center.