I think i disagree with unclerobs statement
Code: vb
- Where you get into problems is when you start taking these images and publish them large scale and sell them at a profit (or attempt to make a profit: you may be a lousy business man and not make a cent but if it was your intention to make money doing this, they can still get you for this) - this is the line of work of the copyright owner at which point when you are discovered you will be told in no uncertain terms to stop what you are doing and if you don't they'll sue your but in court & win.
What if you designed something - something that you sell to make $$$.
Now- someone else comes along - copies it - then starts giving it away free -
you will start to lose money - and eventually go out of business.
What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.
What does copyright protect?
Copyright, a form of
intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts,
ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section "What Works Are Protected."
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#what
