Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Blog images

Following a recent post on the blog which included a superb photo of a Dipper it has been raised that the use of other peoples photographs without their express permission may be in breach of copyright. Whilst I am sure it wasn't the posters intention to in any way cause a problem (indeed was more to allow us all to appreciate a great photo) I believe there may well be copyright issues here.  I am no expert but the photographer concerned is a professional and has a copyright to the photo displayed on it.  I have attempted to search the web for guidance on this issue and although can't come up with anything concrete there are several documented bloggers who have been at risk of prosecution for using other peoples images without permission.  As a result and to err on the side of caution I have removed the photo, shame as its a superb shot.  If anyone disagrees with this decision and can prove that we are not putting ourselves at risk of potential copyright issues please clarify on here.

12 comments:

AndyC said...

If you put,thanks to whoever took it and a link to there site then its free publicity for them,i carnt see it ever being an issue,in this day and age.Put it back with a big thank you..merry xmas all.....................

Bruce said...

I agree Andy. As far as I know that if you acknowledge the photographer and it is not for profit then it's OK. Unless anyone knows better?? Have we a lawyer on the blog?

sedrake said...

A very sensible precaution Nic. Anybody who is in any doubt as to the legal position should google copyright in photography and follow the link.

AndyC said...

Has the person whos photo it is ,said anything,,,,,,or is it just hypothetical..???

Andrew Huyton said...


No Andy, he hasn't said anything but then he probably doesn't know it's on here, he can't be expected to patrol every website and blog checking to make sure people aren't using his images that's an impossible task and one he shouldn't have to perform. What is significant is that the person posting didn't ask! for the sake of a simple email to the owner all this could have been avoided but instead of asking nicely it was felt it was ok to just take it. Perhaps he could have better security but should he have to have it? why can't people either just leave what doesn't belong to them or ask before taking? If I chain my bike up and it gets stolen is it my fault for not fitting better and more chains or is it the fault of the person taking it??

AndyC said...

You Can easily block people taking your images,if your that bothered,try taking one off S.grays site its impossible.I agree he should be asked/thanked but its highly unlikly anyone is going to take us to court etc for one pic.Its free publicity for them .Moutain and mole hill...

Andrew Huyton said...

Agree Andy my issue is not the risk to the group just the respect that should be shown by a simple email before taking the image. As you say Steve may well welcome the free publicity, if people ask me if they can use my images I'm always happy to oblige but likewise if I ever caught someone taking them without asking I wouldn't be a happy bunny.

AndyC said...

The whole music/film industry has had to change for the better in my opinion because of the disregard to the copyright issue.(we've stopped being ripped off at last)
Free art for everyone is not a bad thing........In this case a simple thank you will be fine....Merry xmas one and all....

Andrew Huyton said...

Except for those talented people trying to make a living, good debate brewing here. Music industry has opened up opportunities but it is far from perfect just talk to some of my friends on the Blues scene who are struggling and not through lack of talent. Film industry I see very little change, except more people going to the movies and you can't say that is down to illegal dvd's. Of course maybe this is what the Mayans were referring to when they say end of the world as we know it and we should all work for free and pay for nothing? Go on Andy lead by example and send your next invoice for £0.00 ;-) Merry Xmas Everyone.

Steve Blacksmith said...

I posted the pic of the Dipper lifted off Steve Round's website. It was to illustrate a point I was making about lack of Dippers in Hardcastle Crags versus Dean Clough, where there was one. I thought someone might come back with a thought about the temperature of the water possibly being raised by the sewerage pipe submerged in the bed of the beck.

No-one was interested in my observation, only the shocking fact that I had used someone else's picture!

I did once try to contact Steve Round via his website to ask permission to use one of his for something else. He never replied.

I don't know if you who are
worried looked carefully at the picture I "stole", but it does have "Steve Round" in big letters across the top of it. Otherwise I would have credited it in my bit of text.

AndyC said...

Sorry steve I got side - tracked.There have been dippers and Grey wagtails on that bit of stream for at least 15 years to my knowledge.It would be interesting to know if they were there when the mill was in full swing.And very interesting to note that there are none at H...craggs.Has anyone else seen them there recently.???

heavy birder said...

So far this year I have no records of Dipper at Hardcastle Crags on the data base and only 2 records for 2011 in January and June. Perhaps they are going over looked at this site or is there a problem.