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Computer Law/Editing another persons image for personal use, is this copywrite infringement?

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Expert: - 1/21/2008


Question
I would like to start (I haven't yet) a small web design business, where I design and sale web sites to clients that may live anywhere in the United States. Am I legally allowed to save a picture from another person's/business's web site, edit and change it how ever I may want, and then use it in the design of web site I make for a client? Is this copywrite infringement? Would doing this put me in legal danger of being sued? This is something I am unsure about and I would be very appreciative if you could help. Thank you!

Answer
Your best bet is to avoid doing this as it is a violation of the copywrite laws.

There are plenty of free photo sites out there that you can download photos from and use. http://www.freephotosbank.com/ is one that has free photos. If your talking graphics there are free ones available out there also for that: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
and http://www.1clipart.com/ and http://www.barrysclipart.com/ .

So you see there are lots of other choices out there. Also if you see one you like, there is nothing wrong with creating your own that looks like it. Just stay away from trademarks and business logos.

If you entering the web design business, you will have to be able to create images and graphics to the clients designs and suggestions anyway, better to be able to create your own and or find the free ones.

Here is one of the very best designed web sites I have seen, done for a local artist friend of mine by a local company here. People love the design of it. http://cliffknizley.com/#

Good luck and be creative, people want something new and bold, not the same old same old..  

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning Computer Crime Investigations and Internet investigations including Computer Crime Laws both at the State level and Federal level. I can answer questions on almost any crime in which a computer is used. In addition I can answer questions concerning copywrite infringement (peer to peer, and copying). I served as a police Commander and conducted and still conduct Computer Crime Investigations at the Local, State and Federal level. I have investigated all most any kind of crime with which or which involved a computer and the internet, from murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug dealing and more. I can answer questions concerning Computer Forensics (the art of recovering information from a suspects computer), Computer Crime Investigations and Internet Investigations. I am a Federally Court Recognized Expert in Computer Crime and Computer Forensics. I have worked in both Facebook and MySPace, also in Peer to Peer investigations. In addition I can answer questions concerning child predators and how to make your children safer on-line. I teach Computer Forensics, Internet Investigations, Peer to Peer Investigations and other computer crime related subjects for several colleges and the Institute of Police Technology and Management. My hobby webpage - Military Videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487

Experience

I conduct computer crime investigations in conjunction with the F.B.I., Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, and University of Florida Police Department, Levi County Sheriff’s Office, Starke Police Department and other agencies in the North Florida Court District. I provide the forensic data recovery services for those agencies as well as internet tracing and information gathering. I am a Federal Court Certified Expert in Computer Crime Investigations and Forensics. I teach Computer Forensics for the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. I also teach Computer Crime courses for Tallahassee Community College, Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Training Center. Associate Instructor; teach Computer Crime courses thorough out the world for IPTM. Presently Teach Cyber Crime Investigations, Computer Crime Investigations and Computer Forensic Data Recovery Course.

Education/Credentials
2 Degrees in Criminal Justice, now teach college level Data Forensics classes

Awards and Honors
Awarded the FBI Directors Award for assisting the FBI in a National Computer Crime Investigation. Awarded Dec 2002

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