Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California

Hello,

I am in the process of constructing a small coupon/advertising magazine for the area I live. I am designing the magazine entirely by myself with some computer software that I have invested in. My question is, can I import images into my magazine design from Google images without getting into any kind of copyrite trouble? I really appreciate any help that I can get from LawGuru since I am on a very tight budget.

Thanks in advance for your help.


Asked on 2/13/12, 10:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jim Betinol Withrow and Betinol Law

You will likely get in trouble if you start using images from google images without permission from the image's copyright owner. Google images is a search engine that displays images relevant to your search term, it does not in any way give the searcher an automatic permission from the image's owner to use of that image (whether for profit or not).

If you want to use an image, you should acquire express permission from the person who owns the image, a release from any person in the photo, and also permission from owners of any trademark that may appear on the image.

Feel free to contact me or an attorney in your area if you want to discuss this further.

Kind regards,

Jim Betinol

Partner

Withrow and Betinol Law

www.wibelaw.com

E: [email protected]

P: 424.229.2560

F: 424.258.7001

Disclaimer: This communication does not create an attorney-client relationship and such a relationship can only be formed through a signed written agreement. This communication is not legal advice and should not be solely relied upon in making your legal decisions. Any situation depends on many different facts and specific laws that require an in-depth legal consultation to evaluate the best solution for your needs.

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Answered on 2/14/12, 2:43 pm


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