Using pictures of other people's houses (private property) in a hub.

Jump to Last Post 1-11 of 11 discussions (16 posts)
  1. Simon Lam profile image91
    Simon Lamposted 6 years ago

    I was just wondering whether I can use images of other people's houses in my hub.  Is it legal?  Am I breaking any rules by having photos of private property in my hub?  These photos were taken from the street, which is public.   Does anyone know whether  I'm okay to do this?

    1. TIMETRAVELER2 profile image84
      TIMETRAVELER2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I have always lived by the motto "When in doubt, don't".  It has served me well for more than 70  years. Besides, there are plenty of public domain photos of streets (and other things) that you can use without giving yourself problems.  Morguefile.com and Pixabay.com are two sites you can use.

  2. paradigmsearch profile image60
    paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

    Google gets away with it, so why not you? big_smile

  3. Luke Holm profile image88
    Luke Holmposted 6 years ago

    General rule about taking photos in public, if you can see it from a public space, then you can photograph it (unless a sign on their property states otherwise).

  4. OldRoses profile image93
    OldRosesposted 6 years ago

    I always ask the homeowner's permission.  Usually they are flattered that their home is being featured online.

  5. psycheskinner profile image83
    psycheskinnerposted 6 years ago

    If you see it you can photograph it, it does not follow you can use it commercially.  Stock agencies do not allow any photographs of single buildings, art objects or recognizable people who did not sign model releases.

  6. Simon Lam profile image91
    Simon Lamposted 6 years ago

    Thanks paradigmsearch, Luke Holm, and OldRoses for your replies.  Yes, Google does get away with it with their Street View.  Since I did take the pictures from the street, I'm assume it's okay?  I didn't ask the homeowner's permission.  The problem is I'm using the images for commercial purposes (I'm earning income from Hubpages) so I'm not sure if that's okay.

    1. psycheskinner profile image83
      psycheskinnerposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      No, you can't assume it is okay.  A street shot can be anything from a blank fence, to a copyrighted architectural design, to clear shot of semi-nude children in the front yard.  It may not be permitted for commercial use.

    2. psycheskinner profile image83
      psycheskinnerposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      No, you can't assume it is okay.  A street shot can be anything from a blank fence, to a copyrighted architectural design, to clear shot of semi-nude children in the front yard.  It may not be permitted for commercial use.  Look at the guidelines for submitting to any stock agency for a full explanation.

  7. Simon Lam profile image91
    Simon Lamposted 6 years ago

    Thanks psycheskinner!  I think you're right.  I can't use them here on Hubpages as it is considered commercial use.

  8. stephenteacher profile image70
    stephenteacherposted 6 years ago

    There is nothing illegal about using images that you take in public. Including people. If they are in public, you can use them. If it's a public space, you can use it. If you stand in a public place, you can use whatever you take. Including kids. There is no release required, or permission. I have no idea why anyone would say other wise. Perhaps they have heard something from someone who claims they know better.

    You cannot use private things that people do. Look up dresses, inside bathrooms, etc. That would be a violation of a lot of things.

    Remember it does have to be a public place you are taking them from. Don't be fooled into thinking that you are in a public place. If you are in a store, mall, etc., it's not public.

    If you stand in the street, you can take and use anything, except as noted above. If people are standing in a store, and you see them in the window from the street, you can take them, and use them.

    You can use the houses you photograph while on a public street.

    But, as I have said before many times, HUB can make their own rules.

  9. Simon Lam profile image91
    Simon Lamposted 6 years ago

    Thanks stephenteacher for your response.  I wonder what Hubpages would think of this?

    1. galleryofgrace profile image71
      galleryofgraceposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Stephenteacher is very wrong. Guess he's never been sued for publishing someone's face without permission!
      You must have a persons permission to show their face. Ever wonder why so many people's faces are blocked out on TV etc?

      1. psycheskinner profile image83
        psycheskinnerposted 6 years agoin reply to this

        Indeed.  The dangers of getting legal advice online.  I suggest you go by what stock agencies say as they have the most experience with what can get you sued. https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/contr … -releases/

  10. Simon Lam profile image91
    Simon Lamposted 6 years ago

    Thanks galleryofgrace and psycheskinner.  I will check out the link.

  11. profile image0
    Jean Harrisposted 6 years ago

    Legal doesn't always mean ethical either. Getting permission is always the best way to go but if it's visible from a public area it's probably legal to take a picture of it in the US. Laws in other countries might vary. Regardless of law, if the picture shows an address or owner name on a sign or provides enough information that a user may recognize and track it down you probably shouldn't publish it without permission. I would also never show the contents inside a house without permission.

    As mentioned above, when in doubt seek legal advice from a professional. It's sound advice!

 
working

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

Show Details
Necessary
HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
Features
Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
Marketing
Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
Statistics
Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)