Google images search - copyrights

As you know, when searching images on Google you can filter by "tagged to be used" (I have an Italian version of Firefox, then I don't know the exact text of that menu, sorry).

If I download an image listed as free (although I do not have the right to change it) and I publish it, who assures me that one day someone will say, "you could not use it!"?

I could save the HTML page of the search, but this is not evidence, because I could change it, probably.


Also, although I filtered for "free images", I see this text:


(Images may be copyrighted - Send feedback)

If it is copyrighted they shouldn't put it on the net. From the moment you look at it you have a local copy.

My two cents on this...

If the author of the image does not want it to be use, copyrighted or not, it should clearly state it. Most copyrighted images have a watermark to distinguish them. Others just can't be copied by browser blockage.
There are a number of free images services, some require subscription others don't.
Douglas has recently posted a like to a royalty free repository, with thousands of image in very good quality.

Bottom line is, for me, unless it's a brand image, or it is clearly stated as copyrighted, its free to use.

Legally, compared, its the same as me putting my brand new TV outside unattended for a couple of hours, I should not expect to find it standing in the same place waiting for me. No judge will grant me prejudice in that scenario.

sorex said:

If it is copyrighted they shouldn't put it on the net. From the moment you look at it you have a local copy.

Click to expand...

Who are "they"?

If you mean Google Search I think that it is not considered commercial purposes.

Cableguy said:

Douglas has recently posted a like to a royalty free repository

Click to expand...

Given that to find free images you can use Google, why someone creates that kind of site? As I wrote, maybe one day the owner of that site might ask you financial compensation, he can simply remove the image that you have used from his site (perhaps their purpose is just that).

However, thanks to my English, I don't know if I explained well.
Google allows you to filter images by selecting only those that can be used commercially, but if you select an image, you can read a warning that the image may be protected by copyright. This is nonsense.

I found this:



but also this:





Can I use on Google Play an image which has this second license (CC2)?
"appropriate credit":

AFAIK, CC0 is different that CC in that it does not even need credit (though it can be done, it costs nothing)

In google Play, I give credits at the end of the app description when I use such materials. I think it is the right place


Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a good listing of resource sites (images, sounds,...) which forum users know, with their "status" (totally free, CC required, paid, or a mix of them)