• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 15:42
CEST 21:42
KST 04:42
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Team TLMC #5 - Finalists & Open Tournaments0[ASL20] Ro16 Preview Pt2: Turbulence10Classic Games #3: Rogue vs Serral at BlizzCon9[ASL20] Ro16 Preview Pt1: Ascent10Maestros of the Game: Week 1/Play-in Preview12
Community News
Weekly Cups (Sept 8-14): herO & MaxPax split cups4WardiTV TL Team Map Contest #5 Tournaments1SC4ALL $6,000 Open LAN in Philadelphia8Weekly Cups (Sept 1-7): MaxPax rebounds & Clem saga continues29LiuLi Cup - September 2025 Tournaments3
StarCraft 2
General
#1: Maru - Greatest Players of All Time Weekly Cups (Sept 8-14): herO & MaxPax split cups Team Liquid Map Contest #21 - Presented by Monster Energy SpeCial on The Tasteless Podcast Team TLMC #5 - Finalists & Open Tournaments
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game—$20k event w/ live finals in Paris Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament SC4ALL $6,000 Open LAN in Philadelphia WardiTV TL Team Map Contest #5 Tournaments RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series
Strategy
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation # 491 Night Drive Mutation # 490 Masters of Midnight Mutation # 489 Bannable Offense Mutation # 488 What Goes Around
Brood War
General
Soulkey on ASL S20 A cwal.gg Extension - Easily keep track of anyone BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ ASL20 General Discussion Pros React To: SoulKey's 5-Peat Challenge
Tourneys
[ASL20] Ro16 Group D [ASL20] Ro16 Group C [Megathread] Daily Proleagues SC4ALL $1,500 Open Bracket LAN
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Muta micro map competition Fighting Spirit mining rates [G] Mineral Boosting
Other Games
General Games
Path of Exile Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Borderlands 3 General RTS Discussion Thread Nintendo Switch Thread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion LiquidDota to reintegrate into TL.net
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread UK Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The Happy Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Linksys AE2500 USB WIFI keeps disconnecting Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread High temperatures on bridge(s)
TL Community
BarCraft in Tokyo Japan for ASL Season5 Final The Automated Ban List
Blogs
The Personality of a Spender…
TrAiDoS
A very expensive lesson on ma…
Garnet
hello world
radishsoup
Lemme tell you a thing o…
JoinTheRain
RTS Design in Hypercoven
a11
Evil Gacha Games and the…
ffswowsucks
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1244 users

Image Copyright Question

Blogs > Jaso
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
Jaso
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2147 Posts
September 19 2011 21:01 GMT
#1
Hi TL! :D

I'm sure there's plenty of legal experts on tl.net, so I'm coming to you guys first with my problem.

So today my dad got a letter from an image provider company claiming that an image on the website I designed for his company was licensed by them and that we were using it without a license, so we had to pay a $780 settlement (and no, we wouldn't be able to use it after).

The thing is, I found this in Google images, and it's actually used on some other websites (one significant one: the SFDA's English website; that's basically the Chinese FDA). The image also includes no registration or license details in the properties and has no watermarks.

Then my question is: are we actually required to pay anything, or can we just remove the image?

*
derp
Blazinghand *
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States25552 Posts
September 19 2011 21:09 GMT
#2
You'll need to talk to a lawyer, I believe. However, regardless as to whether or not other people were stealing the image, or whether or not you found it via google images, the result in the same: you can't use that content without permission.

An IP lawyer may give you a free consultation on this. Don't go non-paying or anything based on people's advice here-- most of us aren't lawyers.
When you stare into the iCCup, the iCCup stares back.
TL+ Member
awu25
Profile Joined April 2010
United States2003 Posts
September 19 2011 21:12 GMT
#3
Doubt some Chinese website is going to get sued. Just because you found it on Google images doesn't mean you can use it. Consult a lawyer
Kralic
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Canada2628 Posts
September 19 2011 21:12 GMT
#4
How do you know the other websites did not get the same letter? It is kind of like getting a speeding ticket while everyone else around you was breaking the same law. You got caught. Ask a lawyer it is much easier.
Brood War forever!
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
September 19 2011 21:12 GMT
#5
Well, lets face it, and this is by no means an insult or country bashing, but most of eastern Asia isn't exactly known around the world for considering copyright inviolate. Finding it on that website doesn't mean much.

With that cheap of a settlement, they're probably just trying to scare you to make money, figuring you'd realize that hiring a lawyer is more expensive than just paying up. Unfortunately, your best bet is to talk to a lawyer, but I'd suggest asking them to prove it, shouldn't be too hard.

My dad had something similar to this happen... shit, back in '90 or '91, I think. He had a joke website set up called Roadkills-R-Us, and a certain toy company contacted him threatening to sue if he didn't remove the R-Us from letterheads, website, etc.

They ended up losing a lot of money to returns after he mentioned it on his web site, and enough people told them why they were returning stuff that it got dropped.

But then, parody is protected, so that's probably a terrible example.
mmp
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States2130 Posts
September 19 2011 21:42 GMT
#6
You should probably make sure that they actually own the rights to that image, and that the people suing you are legit.

Otherwise, it sounds like you stole their work.
I (λ (foo) (and (<3 foo) ( T_T foo) (RAGE foo) )) Starcraft
Jaso
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2147 Posts
September 19 2011 21:46 GMT
#7
I'm almost 100% sure that Chinese websites didn't purchase rights to the image (being Chinese myself).

I'm pretty sure the people suing are legit (actually it's not even a lawsuit.. they're just demanding money - that's different, right?) by their website.

But anyhow, thanks for the advice/info. Dad's prob gonna talk with a lawyer.
derp
ShadowDrgn
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States2497 Posts
September 19 2011 21:51 GMT
#8
On September 20 2011 06:42 mmp wrote:
You should probably make sure that they actually own the rights to that image, and that the people suing you are legit.


This, plus check to see if the image is actually registered with the US Copyright Office: http://cocatalog.loc.gov/ Searching for an image can be tough; if you can't find it, you might want to ask the people claiming infringement for a registration number.

If it's not registered, they can't sue you for infringement, although you should stop using their image to avoid a lawsuit in the future.
Of course, you only live one life, and you make all your mistakes, and learn what not to do, and that’s the end of you.
itsjustatank
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Hong Kong9154 Posts
September 19 2011 21:58 GMT
#9
On September 20 2011 06:51 ShadowDrgn wrote:
If it's not registered, they can't sue you for infringement, although you should stop using their image to avoid a lawsuit in the future.


Registration is not necessary to protect one's copyright, it just makes it much easier to do so.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Copyright_registration
Photographer"nosotros estamos backamos" - setsuko
Jaso
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2147 Posts
September 19 2011 22:00 GMT
#10
Well, it's definitely not registered.

I've already removed the image from the website; if the copyright isn't "registered" can they pursue monetary compensation?
derp
ShadowDrgn
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States2497 Posts
September 19 2011 22:13 GMT
#11
On September 20 2011 06:58 itsjustatank wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 20 2011 06:51 ShadowDrgn wrote:
If it's not registered, they can't sue you for infringement, although you should stop using their image to avoid a lawsuit in the future.


Registration is not necessary to protect one's copyright, it just makes it much easier to do so.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Copyright_registration


One of those advantages is the ability to sue.

Check out 17 USC 411.
Of course, you only live one life, and you make all your mistakes, and learn what not to do, and that’s the end of you.
Phtes
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States370 Posts
September 19 2011 22:17 GMT
#12
If you took the image of Google then you can be pursued for monetary compensation, in fact a stock company is suing my friend for over $5,000 cause of a Google image, just because it does not have a water mark does not mean it is not copyrighted, There are logos all over the place that are copyrighted and no water mark.



On a side note for future reference (basically common knowledge for any Web Designer), if you take from Google you must modify the images, Google does not have to because it directs you to the page owners page then extracts the image just like View Image.

I'm Your Phtes o.0 **SKT1 For Life!**
mmp
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States2130 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-19 22:36:38
September 19 2011 22:24 GMT
#13
More likely than not, they are trolls hoping to scare people out of their money by threatening litigation.
I (λ (foo) (and (<3 foo) ( T_T foo) (RAGE foo) )) Starcraft
HornyHerring
Profile Joined March 2011
Papua New Guinea1059 Posts
September 19 2011 22:55 GMT
#14
Image on internet is usually somebody's intelectual property. And you're not allowed to use it unless stated otherwise.
oh, hai
Jaso
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2147 Posts
September 19 2011 23:22 GMT
#15
On September 20 2011 07:17 Phtes wrote:
If you took the image of Google then you can be pursued for monetary compensation, in fact a stock company is suing my friend for over $5,000 cause of a Google image, just because it does not have a water mark does not mean it is not copyrighted, There are logos all over the place that are copyrighted and no water mark.



On a side note for future reference (basically common knowledge for any Web Designer), if you take from Google you must modify the images, Google does not have to because it directs you to the page owners page then extracts the image just like View Image.



So then, if I changed the color it should be alright?

derp
Phtes
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States370 Posts
September 19 2011 23:41 GMT
#16
On September 20 2011 08:22 Jaso wrote:

So then, if I changed the color it should be alright?



Lol no, when you take an image and modify it the original image has to be so change it cannot be considered the same piece. Something around 70% of the image must be changes so that the two do not look alike

Ex. I take a picture of a burger on Google, I fade parts of the burger, take a texture, give a texture background, add font, modify the burger more with cropping / fading and other things I would do for a banner, now it looks like a completely different image and is legal.
I'm Your Phtes o.0 **SKT1 For Life!**
ShadowDrgn
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States2497 Posts
September 19 2011 23:41 GMT
#17
Changing the color will still be a copyright violation (unauthorized derivative work), but it will be more difficult for the copyright holder to discover you in the first place. That's not really a solution though.

I've already removed the image from the website; if the copyright isn't "registered" can they pursue monetary compensation?


It's a bit complicated. Check out 17 USC 411 and 412.
Of course, you only live one life, and you make all your mistakes, and learn what not to do, and that’s the end of you.
Phtes
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States370 Posts
September 19 2011 23:44 GMT
#18
On September 20 2011 08:41 ShadowDrgn wrote:
Changing the color will still be a copyright violation (unauthorized derivative work), but it will be more difficult for the copyright holder to discover you in the first place. That's not really a solution though.

Show nested quote +
I've already removed the image from the website; if the copyright isn't "registered" can they pursue monetary compensation?


It's a bit complicated. Check out 17 USC 411 and 412.



He is perfectly within bounds to take an image and modify it as long as he makes it unrecognizable to the original image.


Removing the image does nothing for you as the website is already cached and logged with the image from earlier, which is still reachable.
I'm Your Phtes o.0 **SKT1 For Life!**
Jaso
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2147 Posts
September 19 2011 23:51 GMT
#19
I realize that they have access to the image; but shouldn't there be something where they give a warning to remove the image instead of just send a letter saying, "sup that picture's ours, give us money"?

And I read through 17 USC 412; if I understood properly, they can't make any claims if it's not registered?
derp
ShadowDrgn
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States2497 Posts
September 19 2011 23:55 GMT
#20
On September 20 2011 08:44 Phtes wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 20 2011 08:41 ShadowDrgn wrote:
Changing the color will still be a copyright violation (unauthorized derivative work), but it will be more difficult for the copyright holder to discover you in the first place. That's not really a solution though.

I've already removed the image from the website; if the copyright isn't "registered" can they pursue monetary compensation?


It's a bit complicated. Check out 17 USC 411 and 412.



He is perfectly within bounds to take an image and modify it as long as he makes it unrecognizable to the original image.


We agree.

Removing the image does nothing for you as the website is already cached and logged with the image from earlier, which is still reachable.


The point of removing the image is to stop violating copyright. If the image wasn't registered during the period it was shown on his website, he isn't liable for any damages (some limited exceptions apply!). If the owner registers the copyright and he's still using the image on his website, he's then liable for damages.

Like others have said, this is 99% some asshole that finds images being used by lots of websites, buys the image from the owner (maybe?), then threatens to sue everyone using it unless they settle.
Of course, you only live one life, and you make all your mistakes, and learn what not to do, and that’s the end of you.
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
OSC
19:00
Mid Season Playoffs
Cure vs Iba
MaxPax vs Lemon
Gerald vs ArT
Solar vs goblin
Nicoract vs TBD
Spirit vs Percival
Cham vs TBD
ByuN vs Jumy
SteadfastSC1442
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
SteadfastSC 1442
IndyStarCraft 145
UpATreeSC 131
JuggernautJason81
NeuroSwarm 67
ZombieGrub65
MindelVK 51
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 21730
Calm 2076
Rain 1621
Shuttle 574
Dewaltoss 109
ggaemo 18
Hm[arnc] 10
Dota 2
Dendi1823
Pyrionflax184
boxi98165
Counter-Strike
apEX1571
fl0m1026
Stewie2K316
flusha179
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu472
Other Games
Grubby3234
FrodaN2150
Beastyqt559
ToD233
Hui .224
C9.Mang0101
ArmadaUGS84
Trikslyr55
Organizations
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 22 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 53
• Reevou 4
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• intothetv
• IndyKCrew
• Kozan
StarCraft: Brood War
• FirePhoenix14
• 80smullet 13
• Pr0nogo 4
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota21833
• lizZardDota264
League of Legends
• Nemesis3536
Other Games
• Scarra732
• imaqtpie727
• WagamamaTV323
• Shiphtur171
Upcoming Events
RSL Revival
14h 19m
Maru vs Reynor
Cure vs TriGGeR
Map Test Tournament
15h 19m
The PondCast
17h 19m
RSL Revival
1d 14h
Zoun vs Classic
Korean StarCraft League
2 days
BSL Open LAN 2025 - War…
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
BSL Open LAN 2025 - War…
3 days
RSL Revival
3 days
Online Event
3 days
[ Show More ]
Wardi Open
4 days
Monday Night Weeklies
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
LiuLi Cup
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-09-10
Chzzk MurlocKing SC1 vs SC2 Cup #2
HCC Europe

Ongoing

BSL 20 Team Wars
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 3
BSL 21 Points
ASL Season 20
CSL 2025 AUTUMN (S18)
LASL Season 20
RSL Revival: Season 2
Maestros of the Game
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1

Upcoming

2025 Chongqing Offline CUP
BSL World Championship of Poland 2025
IPSL Winter 2025-26
BSL Season 21
SC4ALL: Brood War
BSL 21 Team A
Stellar Fest
SC4ALL: StarCraft II
EC S1
ESL Impact League Season 8
SL Budapest Major 2025
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters Fall
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.