When a member posts a personal picture here,

I don't know exactly what it means, but this is in the website's terms and conditions:

"You are granting us with a non-exclusive, permanent, irrevocable, unlimited license to use, publish, or re-publish your Content in connection with the Service. You retain copyright over the Content."
 
I don't know all the particulars or legalize, but if you want a photo or words to be private, don't post them in public(on the internet).
That's exactly how I feel. Also, if I'm not mistaken, most forums can be connected to social media sites and a lot of people like that. Look at Share This Page on the forum homepage. I personally don't belong to any social media sites, but I imagine if someone here shared a page somewhere else, my post or photos would appear there also.
 
here, does that photo become public domain?
No, it does not enter the Public domain. Fair use by others is a complex legal determination. Of course others will maybe copy it to their Facebook page, etc. Although probably not permitted as a matter of factual law, it is constantly done. The sticky part is if you use it for an unlawful purpose or to defame someone, etc. Posting it from one entity to another, like to Facebook from here, is different from one topic here to another topic here etc.

Youtube videos of music are copyrighted, but they see it as FREE advertising, however, they can also request it be taken down.
 
It is not in public domain, as it is copyrighted until sometime after the death of the photographer, designer, etc. (99% of the time). Anyone using such matter, should seek permission, pay fees, etc. prior to usage.

However, it is up to you to contact a lawyer and file a civil suit in Federal Court in cases where you did not provide such permission, etc. In the very likely event it is being used in a foreign country or multiple countries, then maybe that lawyer can drain your bank account while figuring it all out.

If the photo, etc. is being used to make profit by someone else, that did not seek permission, then a possible criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office might take place. It would, again, be up to you, to file the complaint. The U.S. Attorney's jurisdiction is the U.S. and internet is worldwide, so again... drain that bank account.

Summary: Unless you wish to employ an attorney, be prepared to have that copyrighted material used all over the internet as if it were public domain. Check out all the pictures on your favorite social media and ask yourself if anyone bothered to request permission. The answer is likely a big no. Nothing on the internet actually gets completely scrubbed from all the servers worldwide... so in my opinion, don't.
 
I would also note that, if a picture (image) is displayed in Google or other search engines, that does NOT mean that it is free to be used, or that it is without copyright.

There ARE image websites that allow people to use their images for free, but some require a link back to the website.
 
Advertisers sometimes use particularly cute or unusual (poignant expression) photos of children or pets that would be difficult if not impossible to stage. So if they used a personal photo posted on an open site, there is nothing to prevent them from using it other than the threat of being sued by the rightful owner, right?

How do we identify something as being copyright-ed?
 
Good post Harry. The probable reality is, what attorney is going to file suit in court for an action that is so de minimus, not talking about the big time now, the damages are a pittance and he or she will never see the face of any bills? As far as criminal prosecution, I have never heard of such for petty violations. The DOJ is really not concerned with such.
 
Also, how do we know that it really is that person?
we don't know, but a personal picture doesn't have to mean a pic of the forum member it could be of one of their family members.. we don't know what anyone says or posts on here is the truth.. much of it isn't but at the end of it all unless it impacts on us in some kind of negative way it doesn't really matter. If people want to pretend they're someone other than who they are.. fine fill your boots ... but I tell you something..you can believe the pics I post of me are really me.. or else I'd be posting someone much better looking... beleeeeve me... :ROFLMAO:
 
we don't know, but a personal picture doesn't have to mean a pic of the forum member it could be of one of their family members.. we don't know what anyone says or posts on here is the truth.. much of it isn't but at the end of it all unless it impacts on us in some kind of negative way it doesn't really matter. If people want to pretend they're someone other than who they are.. fine fill your boots ... but I tell you something..you can believe the pics I post of me are really me.. or else I'd be posting someone much better looking... beleeeeve me... :ROFLMAO:
@hollydolly

Hols, you are gorgeous - cope with it! :)
 
One reason I don't use my real name or openly share my music and website on this site is because I post things of a more personal nature here than I ever would on Facebook, things that like @RFW said, I wouldn't want to go public. I learned years ago when I was on My Space (as me) that search engine "bot nets" crawl the net and post content allegedly connected to me including photos, also pointed out by RFW. Sometimes they'd string words together so that in the search engine those sentences or phrases that seemed to reference me in reality are referencing to someone else. Perhaps we interacted on My Space or another music site. I also found pictures of family members when I searched myself and a mix up due to another artist having a name similar to mine. Of course the same types of things happen with other people as well. It's kind of spooky.
 

Last edited:

Back
Top