Warning about Google images

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   Uninvited Writerposted 12 years ago

   I was hubhopping today and came across maybe 3 hubs that had official Google logos on their hubs. You should be aware that you need permission to use Google logos.
   
   "These Brand Features can be used only pursuant to these Guidelines, our Terms and Conditions, and for the specific purposes for which Google has given permission...
   
   The only time you can use Brand Features without advance written permission is if there is clear and express language on our website stating that you can use those Brand Features without first obtaining permission, such as is the case with our search boxes."

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      Wesman Todd Shawposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing an example or two here about what sort of photo/logo you are describing?

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         Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I guess the main Google logo would be one, like Mark copied

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            Wesman Todd Shawposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Ah!  I see - I was reading something more complicated into it than it was.

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2. 71

   mythbusterposted 12 years ago

   Thanks for the reminder, Uninvited Writer. I hadn't seen the Google logos being used around the site but I am seeing other images that I am sure HPTeam or someone else will flag soon as being "stolen" or "used without permission." I also haven't been very active here in the past months, so I am not viewing things, in general, here.
   
   I should check my own hubs - earliest ones I put pictures to while still very inexperienced at the site.
   
   I use google searches for images then go to the fine-print/Terms of Use page when I find images I feel I'd like to use, then make decisions on image use from there. Luckily, I don't write articles I feel need to have major site/brand images on them, so I think I'm pretty safe with images I've already put up.

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3. 77

   LuisEGonzalezposted 12 years ago

   You really should conduct research into copyright laws/Fair Use Doctrine etc...
   There are some applications that permit the uses of not only images but logos too; news stories, critiques, comparisons, analysis, reviews, educational and a couple more uses that do not require you to obtain permission.
   
   However, with private publishing platforms this can be different as they put in their TOS whatever tickles their fancy.
   
   Nevertheless you should always attempt to at least get permission since its the right thing to do and always give credit.......
   
   If one has a few hours to read you may want to browse this
   http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html
   
   This may help one get a better understanding to compare to the opinions of some of the HP "experts".......

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      Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Google has the right to say when and where their images are used; they ask you to ask for permission.
      
      Do not patronize me, I am well aware of fair use and copyright...
      
      "The difficulty in claiming fair use is that there is no way to guarantee that your use will qualify as fair. You may believe that your use qualifies—but, if the copyright owner disagrees, you may have to resolve the dispute in a courtroom. Even if you ultimately persuade the court that your use was in fact a fair use, the expense and time involved in litigation may well outweigh any benefit of using the material in the first place."

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      1. 77

         LuisEGonzalezposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         What makes you think that I was referring to you??? If that would have been my intention I would have made it known. My comment was directed more to mythbuster than anyone else plus anyone else who may have other questions. Be very assured that if I have anything to say to anyone I will make it known.
         
         My comments do not address your points either about court proceedings which are very real and you are also right that Fair Use is mostly a defense than anything else not a Carte Blanche & yes even Google is bound by Fair Use. Although as you point out who in their right mind would take on Google.
         
         I'm sorry if you assumed that my remarks were directed at you because they were not, you would have had no doubts nor would I have had any qualms were they originally intended for your persona.

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   Mark Ewbieposted 12 years ago

   
   
   You can use this one if you like...
   
   .. at least I think you can.  Maybe I broke a law somewhere?

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      Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know about that

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5. 81

   Mark Ewbieposted 12 years ago

   
   
   While I'm about it...
   
   By the way I don't think this is self publicity, it's just being helpful.

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6. 77

   Greekgeekposted 12 years ago

   Redrawing a company's trademark or copyright doesn't absolve you of violating trademark or copyright laws.
   
   It's just like selling bootleg Mickey Mouse drawings. Disney could come after you. To say nothing of the scary legal juggernaut that is Hello Kitty. (I'm not kidding; they came after an artist I know who was drawing hilarious Hello Chthulu cartoons.)

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      Mark Ewbieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Greekgeek, I am now officially worried.  On the plus side, the fridge magents I am selling with the "you know what" symbol on them should become quite rare and valuable in the event of a trial.
      
      I shall position myself as the little guy against corporate, er, bigness.
      
      Strictly speaking, and this will form an important part of my defence, Google, is a word from the dictionary - it means a lot of zeroes.

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         Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         They are coming to get you

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            Mark Ewbieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I'm wondering now if my Google doodlings are why I have failed to make huge amounts of money from writing stuff on the web.  I upset someone in a high place.
            Hopefully they won't discover I called Matt Cutts a homosexual.

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         WriteAngledposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I believe there is actually a get-out under the "fair use" concept, which permits the use of trademarks and logos for satirical purposes.

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   Mark Ewbieposted 12 years ago

   
   
   Would the panel consider the above to be an infringement of anything?

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      Hauntyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's an infringement of people's right to stay in a bad mood.

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         wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         

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   Greekgeekposted 12 years ago

   Mark, the Chaotic Good side of me suspects that Google is less aggressive about chasing people down than some companies.
   
   OH.
   
   Question. Does Hubpages allow us to use the <img> tag in Text Capsules? If so, one could simply sign up for Zazzle, then embed Google Doodles as affiliate links. The problem is that according to Zazzle's affiliate TOS, you may NOT take the graphics and re-upload them (say, into a photo capsule); you actually have to leave them hosted on Zazzle and use affiliate links to display them, so that the artist/owner retains control over the graphics.
   
   Edit: drat, it doesn't let us, does it? Scratch that idea.

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