I'm wondering if anyone can enlighten me on copyright and attribution issues with respect to products sold on Amazon.
If I write a hub that focuses specifically on one or more Amazon products, where do I stand with respect to using the full-size images corresponding to the products I select for the Amazon capsules?
On the one hand, some rights to these images presumably exist with the sellers who are making the product available for purchase. On the other hand, my hub is potentially driving buyers to purchase from these sellers.
Do I have a right to use these images. If yes, should I include an attribution, and what type of attribution?
I was always of the understanding that we were permitted to use these images and attribute Amazon as the source. I have never questioned this, so I will be interested to see if this is the case. Thanks for bringing it up, Writeangled. I perhaps should have queried it more.
I've never been able to find anything in writing about this.
However, if you are marketing an Amazon product, Amazon provides you with all kinds of banners and widgets, all of which include a version of the image in various sizes. Therefore if you choose to feature it in another size of your own choosing, I can't see how that would be a problem.
Where I have used a bigger version of the image, I've always placed the Amazon capsules directly underneath it or above it.
From: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/gp … ement.html
You absolutely do have the right to use these images as long as you are a registered Amazon affiliate.
The purpose of this License Agreement is to permit you to advertise items offered on the Amazon Site ("Products"). Under this License Agreement, we will make available to you proprietary application programming interfaces and other tools (collectively, the "Product Advertising API") that permit you to access and use certain types of data, images, text, and other information and content relating to Products ("Product Advertising Content"), including the following:
Data, images, audio, video, logos, user interface designs, and other creative designs; and
Textual materials, such as textual Product information.
The real question is; does HP like for us to use these types of images? I have seen posts by staff (either in this forum or on their blog) stating they basically frown on those images as they make the page 'look' like a sales page...
Well DUH!!! It is what it is. I will use them whenever I cannot find a CC image on Flickr or elsewhere.
I use them, too when I can't find any other CC images. One problem is citing the source, too. If you link back to the Amazon image, it counts as a link to Amazon, of course. Then, if you have three or more images linking back to Amazon the hub is considered "overly promotional". So, I'm not sure how to properly and legally cite the images in this case. I had to ditch the pictures links on my last hub for this very reason.
I don't see why you would need to cite the source if you took the image from Amazon but if you must, then just cite it without making it an active link. Like Josh mentioned, these images do not belong to Amazon anyway, they are manufacturers images for the sole purpose of promoting their product.
I do remember that this discussion came up a long time ago and most people on the thread said we could use images. I have used some images on my few product hubs. But then you cannot sell a product if it is not attractively packaged in the hub, can you?
Just read the TOS of Amazon affiliates.If there is nothing mentioned about the use of their product image,then you can use it.Why not email them about it?
Marissa... I've been trying to find the real, honest-to-gosh legal answer to this question for a couple years. I still don't absolutely have the answer, but I've just spent an OCD hour digging up some...evidence?... for us to ponder. Where's a real lawyer when we need 'em?
Anyway.
MOST IMPORTANT EVIDENCE: Many law-savvy people, such as this intellectual property attorney, argue that this paragraph of Title 17 covers product images:
"Useful articles" = products.
Seems open-and-shut, right? However, here's a copyright lawyer working for Google who says some judges forget this clause:
Judge rules based on Fair Use, ignores Section 113(c)
And here's librarians -- people who know this kind of thing -- trying to puzzle out whether section 113(c) lets them display book covers on their websites. The comments are illuminating:
legality of displaying book jackets
Many people are ranting about this crazy shampoo company suing anyone selling its shampoo bottles online. This case reminds us that even if the law favors us, it may take a lot of time, stress, and lawyers' fees to defend ourselves in court.
Here's a page on court cases which did rule in favor of product photos and descriptions being used without permission: Product Descriptions NOT copyrighted?
So...er.. assuming your head hasn't exploded...what do you think?
Personally, I think we need to elect some Congressbots who actually understand how the internet works, so they can update copyright law for the 21st century.
Sorry, the head has definitely exploded! Fortunately I don't feel the need to use larger Amazon images much, so I think I will simply continue to avoid the issue...
Thank you, for your comments, everyone.
From what I understand, it seems that _probably_ it's OK to use the images, but no one can say for sure 100%.
The whole question of copyright is so complex. There is hubloads of content that could be discussed. Unfortunately, copyright lawyers earn far too well to ever want to write hubs on their specialty here!
I guess it's ok to use them and I've used them on product review sites. The owner of the product will be happy that you're trying to get them sales - who won't? Also Amazon gets a comission or cut so they're happy as well. Therefore, I say its ok to use them
I'm pretty sure it's okay to use them when the hub in question is talking about the specific product. I used that for my Halloween by Roseanne hub, and like Marisa I have the Amazon link right below the picture.
I come at this issue from another angle.
They aren't "Amazon Images" they are manufacturer images (in most cases) - if you take the brand name or product name and search for it + press release or press package or press photos, you will find that these images were releases specifically for promotional purposes and their use is encouraged.
If you have a dedicated niche, following press releases is a great way to be a few months ahead of the pack.
http://www.rca.com/press-release/rca-bu … ones-2012/
http://www.apple.com/pr/products/
isn't that pretty
You can become an Amazon Affiliate. They will give you your link and you add that to your hub account. The Amazon image will pop up in your hub when you find which you want or Amazon will also select a product image for you. Is that what you were looking for?
Nobody will complain if promo photos are used for promotional purposes, either by Amazon, Ebay sellers, bloggers or you.
I wouldn't use customer images from Amazon.
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I just got this email. Is terminating your account normal if you don't have any sales or referrals in 90 days????Hello,Thanks again for joining the Amazon Associates program. We’re reaching out to you because we have not seen sales activity on your account.At the time your application was...
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