Using pictures/logos on a website

BSIM

I'm currently setting up a new website and just looking for a bit of info. I want to include some pictures or logos on my homepage. What are the laws on this? Can I display and organisations logo on my website if I havent directly got permission from them? As regards pictures, where would I be able to source some that I would legally be allowed to use?

Pixelcraft

You need to license everything appropriately. Other companies logo's will need permission. You can use stock photos from sites such as istockphoto.com and shutterstock.com once the correct license has been purchased. There tend to be different licenses for editorial and creative so double check that.

MOH

Google "stock photos" - there's a raft of websites out there.

But as pixelcraft said read the license carefully on each one - websites offering "free stock photos" often mix paid and free content, and even a lot of the free ones are under a creative commons license that can have restrictions or require some form of attribution, e.g. a link back.

Flickr has a good summary of various creative commons licenses.

Also note that "Royalty free" doesn't actually mean free - it just means that if you buy the image it's not restricted by volume of use/time.

Dublin_Gunner

BSIM wrote: »

I'm currently setting up a new website and just looking for a bit of info. I want to include some pictures or logos on my homepage. What are the laws on this? Can I display and organisations logo on my website if I havent directly got permission from them? As regards pictures, where would I be able to source some that I would legally be allowed to use?

Do NOT use another company's logo on your site without their express permission.

ALWAYS ensure that any images you're using are either your own, or as stated you are allowed to use them in that manner within the terms of the licence.

Stock Exchange has tonnes of completely free images to download and use, but please ensure the licence on each image allows commercial use (I'm assuming your website is a commercial site advertising your company / services etc).

tricky D

Except for logos like VISA, Amex etc. for shopping carts, you should always get permission for logos. This helps ensure the best logo version is used and displayed correctly. Some logo guidelines are very specific when it comes to matters like spacing and other display properties. Using organisiations' logos without permission can create the impression of those organisations endorsing your site when no such endorsement actually exists, which is legally dubious, pretty dishonest and downright bad practice.

BSIM

Thanks for help so far everyone! I also have another question. The website I am creating is similar to a site in the US. That site has a .com domain (lets call it www.bsim.com!). Is there any issues with me having a similar site and use the same name with a .ie domain (eg. www.bsim.ie)?

MOH

There's no issue there (apart from the risk of you losing traffic to people who visit the .com instead of the .ie).

amen

There's no issue there

thats not necessarily true. For instance the company could have a registered trade name in Ireland and you may be violating that trade name i.e. if you tried to use pepsi.ie I am sure you will get a cease and desit letter.

There was even a bar called Bak of Ireland in California several years ago who to change their name after Bank of Ireland took them to court.

So be careful.