More advice please? re images

alana r · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 05:32 PM

Hi everyone,

I have another question (sorry

)

I am working on a blog at the moment about a particular movie and book, I know I can't legally use images from the movie etc and I want to stay clear of any type of copyright infringement so instead I am only using images from the movie from Allposters affiliate program, which I am an affiliate of anyway, I really just wanted to know if this would be considered ok?

Also I read something about not being allowed to use adsense on computer game sites etc, I am not too clear on this but does anyone know if there is a problem using adsense on a fan blog about a movie? (I will also be using amazon products links to the actual dvd and book)

Thanks!

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2009, 10:41 PM

I'm not sure about your 2nd question but "yes" to your 1st question. It is my understanding that as long as you are promoting the merchant company products as an affiliate, you are free to use the product images on your site. Hopefully I'm understanding your question.

themegrrl · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009, 04:43 AM

hello alana, i'm not sure of the exact nature of your blog, but it might be OK for you to use some of the official promotional images in your blog posts?

these images are specifically released to the media for promotional purposes, to be used in newspapers, magazines, and entertainment blogs etc. as long as they're not used in the site design I think it would be ok.

I'm not certain though. You might be able to find out by visiting the official website for the movie your site is about and viewing the image gallery (press photos / images usually make up the gallery), and somewhere on the site should be a terms of use for the images.

alana r · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009, 04:43 AM

Thanks for the info, using all posters seems to be the easiest option although the don't have a huge range of images for the movie so it's kind of restricting but at least I know I can use them without anycoyright issues.

I'm not sure about the second one either

I did read something about it but it wasn't very clear and I couldn't find it again when I was looking for it ( it was a while ago)

alana r · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009, 05:00 AM

Themegrrl thanks

I'll check that out, it would be very usefull if I could use them. It's just a blog about the twilight movie and book series,

I have been looking at other sites and they use so many of the copyrighted images, and video clips etc.

Do you know if using the official movie trailers falls under the same too? I was also considering using cafepress items but I read that many of clothing etc has used copyrighted images in their design

themegrrl · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009, 05:17 AM

any image that has been released to the media for promotional purposes only, including the trailer, should be safe to use on your blog.

although the images are copyrighted, they are released freely to the media by Twilight's marketers for use in print and online magazines etc.. as long as you're not using the images to make money, it should be ok.

Posting the trailer is fine, however if you posted a clip from the movie that has not been released for promotional purposes, that would be a rights infringement.

probably safe to stir clear of the cafe press stuff!

all the best with your blog!

Donk · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

It is my understanding that as long as you are promoting the merchant company products as an affiliate, you are free to use the product images on your site.

Until recently I would have agreed with you but I read on another forum:

Quote:

Affiliate Promotion and Marketing of Ugg Australia Products on affiliate sites is now Prohibited

.

So even though you may be getting your data from the stores that sells these products you can still be in violation of the manufacturers/ trademark holders copyright. Ugg's lawyers have successfully shut down one affiliates website for copyright/trade mark violation.

Regards

Bob

themegrrl · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009, 05:41 PM

I suspect the situation with Uggs is unique... This brand has copyrighted the word Uggs, even though the word is generic in Australia for sheepskin lined boots (it's the equivalent to copyrighting the word 'chair'). They have since sued everyone and anything using the word Ugg, including mom and pop stores in Australia who have been making uggs for DECADES. it's disgusting! so in short, i would take this situation as indicative of the norm.

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