• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 08:55
CEST 14:55
KST 21:55
  • 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
Maestros of the Game: Week 1/Play-in Preview12[ASL20] Ro24 Preview Pt2: Take-Off7[ASL20] Ro24 Preview Pt1: Runway132v2 & SC: Evo Complete: Weekend Double Feature4Team Liquid Map Contest #21 - Presented by Monster Energy16
Community News
LiuLi Cup - September 2025 Tournaments2Weekly Cups (August 25-31): Clem's Last Straw?39Weekly Cups (Aug 18-24): herO dethrones MaxPax6Maestros of The Game—$20k event w/ live finals in Paris54Weekly Cups (Aug 11-17): MaxPax triples again!15
StarCraft 2
General
Team Liquid Map Contest #21 - Presented by Monster Energy #1: Maru - Greatest Players of All Time Production Quality - Maestros of the Game Vs RSL 2 Geoff 'iNcontroL' Robinson has passed away Heaven's Balance Suggestions (roast me)
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game—$20k event w/ live finals in Paris RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series Chzzk MurlocKing SC1 vs SC2 Cup Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) LiuLi Cup - September 2025 Tournaments
Strategy
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation # 489 Bannable Offense Mutation # 488 What Goes Around Mutation # 487 Think Fast Mutation # 486 Watch the Skies
Brood War
General
The Korean Terminology Thread BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Pros React To: herO's Baffling Game ASL20 General Discussion BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [IPSL] ISPL Season 1 Winter Qualis and Info! Is there English video for group selection for ASL Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Muta micro map competition Fighting Spirit mining rates [G] Mineral Boosting
Other Games
General Games
General RTS Discussion Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
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 Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread The Games Industry And ATVI Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The Happy Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread Movie Discussion! [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
MLB/Baseball 2023 2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread High temperatures on bridge(s)
TL Community
The Automated Ban List TeamLiquid Team Shirt On Sale
Blogs
Collective Intelligence: Tea…
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
INDEPENDIENTE LA CTM
XenOsky
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1505 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
RSL Revival
10:00
Season 2: Group A
Bunny vs ZounLIVE!
Creator vs TBD
Crank 1234
Tasteless976
IndyStarCraft 230
Rex145
3DClanTV 51
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Crank 1234
Tasteless 976
IndyStarCraft 230
Rex 145
ProTech111
Codebar 22
Railgan 10
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 1742
firebathero 574
Larva 545
sSak 511
ggaemo 374
Light 274
Last 258
Pusan 247
Zeus 238
JulyZerg 218
[ Show more ]
ToSsGirL 197
Hyuk 183
TY 88
Hyun 78
scan(afreeca) 51
Sea.KH 51
Aegong 50
Free 41
JYJ34
Movie 25
Noble 19
Icarus 17
Terrorterran 10
Shine 8
Hm[arnc] 6
Britney 0
Dota 2
The International84744
Gorgc15298
Fuzer 368
XcaliburYe155
Dendi107
Counter-Strike
zeus293
byalli271
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King55
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu251
Khaldor203
Other Games
singsing1504
B2W.Neo1140
DeMusliM444
JimRising 343
Hui .240
Sick191
MindelVK39
Organizations
StarCraft 2
angryscii 1
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 13 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Adnapsc2 5
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV239
League of Legends
• Jankos1142
Upcoming Events
Maestros of the Game
4h 5m
Maru vs Lambo
herO vs ShoWTimE
BSL Team Wars
6h 5m
Team Hawk vs Team Sziky
Sparkling Tuna Cup
21h 5m
Monday Night Weeklies
1d 3h
The PondCast
3 days
RSL Revival
3 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Online Event
4 days
BSL Team Wars
5 days
Team Bonyth vs Team Dewalt
BSL Team Wars
5 days
[ Show More ]
RSL Revival
5 days
Maestros of the Game
6 days
Cosmonarchy
6 days
Bonyth vs Dewalt
[BSL 2025] Weekly
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-09-02
SEL Season 2 Championship
HCC Europe

Ongoing

Copa Latinoamericana 4
BSL 20 Team Wars
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 3
BSL 21: BSL Points
ASL Season 20
CSL 2025 AUTUMN (S18)
LASL Season 20
RSL Revival: Season 2
Maestros of the Game
Chzzk MurlocKing SC1 vs SC2 Cup #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 Polish World Championship 2025
BSL Season 21
BSL 21 Team A
EC S1
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
MESA Nomadic Masters Fall
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
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.