Copying Graphics - What is Fair Use?

it0 asks: "I'm writing a web application and since I can't create good graphics, I'll be ripping them from other places on the web. The decent thing to do would be to ask permission, and at least specify where you got the graphic, however I don't see this happening much on other websites. Here's an example: I copied a trashcan icon that seems to be used by everyone and nobody seems to specify its original source. What about wallpapers? I've see a lot of models without references? I've also seen a lot of images that imitate the Windows GUI, and I've yet to notice anyone getting sued! For those interested, here is more information on the subject."

Comments

Trash Can is Patented

[Anonymous Coward]

We all remember when Apple patented the trash can, right?

Yet another "throw away" patent, if you ask me. ;)

take what you can get away with

[Anonymous Coward]

Copy the graphics you need, if they send you a cease and desist or otherwise contact you, take it down immediately and apologize.

If you think nobody does this, you're nuts.

My experience

[The Clockwork Troll]

I am of the school, "if it's out there and it's generic enough, it's OK to use it."

Actually I used to be worse than that, I used to link to the actual image I wanted to use rather than do the considerably more decent thing which would be to download it and host it on my own server.

I got my comeuppance one day when someone pointed out that a prominent image on my home page had been replaced with an image of somebody's middle finger which superimposed text reading:

That's what you get for stealing my bandwidth

Suffice to say I host all my own images now.