I have utilized images from Pexels and Unsplash in the past, however, I hold a strong preference for Pixabay. Although it has been some time since I last visited the site, I recently returned to it in search of free images and came across the picture below:
pixabay-2022-08-23.png
While I appreciate the image, it does evoke a desire to express "Well, fuck you..." However, I am curious if there are any similar sites available where I can legally acquire content without copyright fees. With so many excellent free images that can be utilized for design and content purposes, I am hoping to explore additional options.
Is there anything else you would like me to add on this topic?
Do you happen to possess a virtual workstation located in Russia? If not, perhaps it would be beneficial to install a tool like Browsec into Chromium in order to access servers in the Netherlands or the USA without the need for another VPN. Additionally, a paid subscription would grant access to servers throughout the world along with stock market images.
Overall, it seems obtaining unique pictures is not a major issue. In fact, with a bit of creativity and skill, one can create a unique image within 5-20 minutes. This is especially important as having unique images can significantly impact a site's ranking.
It depends on the subject, and tasks.
I take from stocks, from free packages design studios (freeware), make or compile myself. Many can be pulled from old advertising collections - the pictures are specific, but at least already free, over the expiration of rights, and look good. For client sites, you can take pictures from the site and promotional materials manufacturers. Many companies run their own photobanks, so it's even easier here.
Yes, the question of content legality is certainly interesting.
Paying for all the copyrights is not enough money. Even after the death of the copyright holder, the rights expire 70 years. If you are a legal entity and you allowed content to be posted illegally, you will be whacked sooner or later. There's a 100 percent probability. It can be expensive to take whatever you want. Even though it's freely lying on a stack of resources about old advertising, without copyrights. The absence of an outright ban on use does not mean permission to use.
If we are talking about the old stock pictures or Coca-Cola commercials from the 40s - there is no risk to get in trouble.
Another thing is that the replicated content has no value, all the more so as an illustration.
There exist entire offices dedicated to copyright protection, such as the Russian VK-media and V-them. These offices purchase rights to photos from authors, who are often just ordinary social media users, for a minimal fee. They then press charges against webmasters who utilize these photos on their sites, demanding no less than 30 thousand rubles per photo. Additionally, if the photos were reposted on social media, they demand 30 thousand rubles for each repost. These offices make millions through winning legal battles, even suing state websites. Lawsuits can be found online for prosecutor office websites in certain regions.
In my personal experience, I was sued for using one photo from a stock image that showed an empty bottle on a bench. Despite the photo's lack of value, I still lost the trial due to copyright laws. The judge was not pleased and reduced the amount of claims to 7 thousand rubles. VK-Media, masquerading as a media outlet, makes millions through gray area but legitimate extortion tactics, so it's important to be cautious.
My solution to avoid such situations is to use Google Images with the creative commons rights filter. It's a cheap and reliable alternative.
Quote from: SIROTA on Aug 23, 2022, 11:57 AMRotten office VK-Media masquerading as a media, making millions on the gray, but quite legitimate extortion. Be careful!
That's right. And this practice is actively proliferating, many lawyers have figured out how to squeeze a penny out of a business that has inaccurately used someone else's photo through the courts. Indeed, on legal grounds.
So colleagues, before you use a photo found on the Internet, very carefully check the sources and if you see that the picture belongs to a photographer (especially a professional photographer) -
do not take it, because even if many are now using it, then it is very likely that you will knock on the door of the law firm, which represents the author, and to charge 1000 dollars in damages for each photo.
I work with vector images, I often download from
Freepik (https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/stylish-blue-premium-certificate-template-design-set_12071034.htm#&position=22&from_view=popular), they have both premium and free copyright free graphics.
Public Domain Pictures (https://publicdomainpictures.net/en/)
There are free pictures here, without copyright fees.
On the site in the search box look for the desired picture, in the search results the top pictures are paid, just below - free.
Go to the picture, at the bottom go to the Free download button. Take it away.
Now it's so difficult to find content for personal use or to fill the site on commercial terms, everyone wants uniqueness, and you can create it yourself.
I like the site Freepik, there's both paid content and free.
Even if you download photo and manually correct it, then no one will guarantee, the owner of the photo will be found sooner or later, and he willn't claim his rights to it, for which you will have to pay.
An interview requires preparation in advance, including clear communication of your intentions, technical equipment, and scenario planning. Additionally, interviews can easily be conducted via phone or Skype without complex technical equipment. Effective interviews are dependent on the ability to ask engaging questions.
Comments, whether presented through text, video, or audio, make for catchy and insightful content. Gathering opinions from various fields through your network can lead to unique content creation. Master classes are also highly popular as they provide valuable information and allow for resource-saving. Quality content and presentation form are key factors when creating master classes. Presentations can also be engaging and informative, utilizing creative and non-standard approaches to generate interest in a product or person.
I already like the question. Quality content can be written by a creative writer. If such a question arose, then this is a small problem. If such a question arose, then this is a small problem.
1. Buy ready-made articles from authors or ask them to write something interesting.
2. Find deceased sites and merge texts from this resource.
3. Rewrite interesting content.
As a result, you need to have either money or talent.
And then everything will work out for you.
Obtaining content for your website legally is essential to avoid copyright issues and potential legal problems. Here are some ways to legally source content for your website:
1. **Create Your Own Content:** The best way to ensure your content is legal and unique is to create it yourself. This includes writing your own articles, taking your own photos, or recording your own videos.
2. **Public Domain Content:** You can use content that is in the public domain, which means it's not protected by copyright. Websites like Project Gutenberg and Wikimedia Commons offer public domain texts and images.
3. **Creative Commons Licensed Content:** Many creators license their work under Creative Commons licenses, which allow various levels of use with attribution. You can find Creative Commons content on platforms like Flickr, Wikimedia Commons, and Creative Commons search engines.
4. **Stock Photo and Video Websites:** There are many stock photo and video websites where you can purchase or license images and videos for your website. Examples include Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty Images.
5. **Free Stock Photo Websites:** Some websites offer high-quality images and videos for free, often under licenses like Creative Commons. Popular options include Unsplash, Pixabay, and Pexels.
6. **Public Domain and Royalty-Free Music:** If you need music for your website, consider using public domain music or royalty-free music from sources like Free Music Archive and Incompetech.
7. **Content from Open Access Journals:** If you're looking for academic or research content, consider using articles from open access journals. Websites like DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) provide access to such content.
8. **User-Generated Content:** If you have a community or user-generated content section on your website, make sure you have clear terms of use and guidelines that protect against copyright infringement. Always obtain proper permissions if necessary.
9. **Content Aggregation and Syndication:** If you want to curate content from other sources, use aggregation and syndication tools, but ensure that you have proper agreements and permissions in place.
10. **Guest Bloggers and Contributors:** You can invite guest bloggers or contributors to create content for your website, but make sure they provide content they have the right to use or have created themselves.
11. **License Content:** If you find content that you want to use, reach out to the content creator and ask for permission or negotiate a license agreement. Ensure you have written dоcumentation of any agreements.
12. **Review Copyright Laws:** Familiarize yourself with copyright laws in your country and internationally, especially if you operate a global website. Understanding copyright basics will help you avoid legal issues.
13. **Fair Use**: Familiarize yourself with the concept of "fair use" under copyright law. In some cases, you may be able to use copyrighted material for purposes like criticism, commentary, news reporting, or education without obtaining permission. However, the interpretation of fair use can be subjective, so consult with legal counsel if unsure.
14. **Publicly Available Government Data**: Government websites often provide access to a wealth of data and information that can be used on your website. Be sure to check the terms of use for such data, as they can vary.
15. **License Agreements**: When using content from stock photo, video, or music websites, review and comply with the specific license agreement associated with each piece of content. Some may require attribution or have limitations on usage.
16. **Attribution**: If you're using Creative Commons content or any material that requires attribution, make sure to give proper credit to the creator as specified in the license.
17. **Keep Records**: Maintain records of where you obtained each piece of content, the terms of use, and any permissions or licenses. This dоcumentation can be valuable in case of disputes.
18. **Content Policies**: Establish clear content policies for your website and ensure that your contributors and users are aware of these policies. This can help prevent copyright violations by others on your platform.
19. **DMCA Compliance**: If your website allows user-generated content, consider implementing a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown process to promptly address copyright infringement claims.
20. **Regular Audits**: Periodically review your website's content to ensure that it still complies with copyright laws. Content can change, and licenses may expire, so ongoing vigilance is essential.
21. **Educate Your Team**: If you have a team working on your website, make sure they understand copyright laws and your website's content policies to avoid unintentional violations.
22. **Legal Advice**: When in doubt or if you have concerns about specific content usage, consult with a legal professional who specializes in intellectual property and copyright law.
23. **Public Performance Licenses**: If your website involves streaming or playing music or videos to the public, you may need public performance licenses. This applies, for instance, to websites that host webinars, live streams, or online events.
24. **Contractual Agreements**: When working with content creators, contributors, or freelancers, ensure that your agreements clearly outline who owns the rights to the content and how it can be used on your website.
25. **Trademark Considerations**: Be cautious when using trademarks in your content. Make sure you have the proper permissions and that you're using them in accordance with trademark law.
26. **Privacy and Data Protection**: Ensure that any content involving personal data or sensitive information complies with privacy laws (e.g., GDPR in Europe). Obtain proper consent and disclose how data will be used.
27. **Accessibility Standards**: Comply with accessibility standards to ensure that your content is usable by people with disabilities. This includes providing alternative text for images, captions for videos, and readable text.
28. **Linking and Embedding**: Be aware of the legal implications of linking to or embedding content from other websites. In some cases, embedding may be considered a form of copyright infringement.
29. **Content Aggregator Guidelines**: If you aggregate content from other sources, respect their guidelines and terms of use. Some websites may have specific rules about how their content can be used.
30. **Dynamic Content Licensing**: If your website generates content dynamically (e.g., through APIs), ensure that you have the appropriate licenses or permissions from the data providers.
31. **Regular Updates on Licensing**: Stay updated with changes in licensing terms of content providers. What may be allowed today might change in the future.
32. **dоcument Everything**: Keep a comprehensive record of all licenses, permissions, and agreements related to your website's content. This can serve as evidence of your legal compliance if any disputes arise.
33. **Domain Name Considerations**: Ensure that your domain name doesn't infringe on any trademarks or copyrights. Conduct thorough research before finalizing your domain name.
34. **User-Generated Content Moderation**: If your website allows users to submit content, implement strict moderation policies to prevent the publication of copyrighted or inappropriate material.
35. **Geographical Restrictions**: If applicable, consider implementing geographical restrictions to comply with licensing agreements or regional copyright laws.
36. **Content Syndication Services**: Explore content syndication services that provide licensed articles, news, and other content for your website. These services often have agreements in place with publishers for legal content distribution.
37. **Content Auditing Tools**: Use content auditing tools to check your website for potential copyright violations. These tools can help identify content that may be infringing on copyrights.
38. **Creative Commons License Types**: Understand the different types of Creative Commons licenses, as they vary in terms of usage rights. Some allow for commercial use, while others do not. Be sure to select content with the appropriate license for your intended use.
39. **Public Performance Rights for Music**: If your website involves playing music in public, ensure you have the necessary public performance rights. This is especially relevant for websites that live-stream events, podcasts, or use background music.
40. **Terms of Use and Copyright Notices**: Clearly state your website's terms of use and copyright policy. Include information about how users should report copyright violations and how you handle such reports.
41. **Stay Updated on Legal Changes**: Copyright and intellectual property laws can change over time. Stay informed about legal developments in your country and internationally to ensure ongoing compliance.
42. **Backup and Copyright Ownership**: Regularly back up your website content and ensure you have clear dоcumentation of ownership for all content, especially user-generated content.
43. **Legal Disclaimers**: Depending on your website's content and purpose, consider adding appropriate legal disclaimers to protect yourself from liability.
44. **Secure Hosting**: Choose a reputable web hosting provider that complies with legal requirements and provides security measures to protect your website and its content.
45. **Educate Your Team**: If you have a team working on your website, ensure that they are aware of copyright laws and best practices for content sourcing and usage.
46. **Moral Rights**: Be aware that in some jurisdictions, creators may have moral rights over their work, even if they've assigned copyright. This can include the right to attribution and the right to object to derogatory treatment of their work.
47. **Record License Agreements**: Maintain detailed records of all license agreements, including the duration and scope of usage rights granted.
48. **Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Compliance**: If your website operates in the United States, familiarize yourself with DMCA safe harbor provisions, which can protect you from certain copyright infringement claims made by users.
49. **International Considerations**: If your website serves an international audience, be mindful of the copyright laws and regulations in different countries, as they can vary significantly.
50. **Seek Legal Advice**: When dealing with complex content licensing or legal issues, consult with an attorney who specializes in intellectual property and internet law to ensure full compliance and protection.
51. **Use Open Source Software**: If your website involves software, consider using open-source software with licenses like the GNU General Public License (GPL) or MIT License. Be sure to comply with these licenses' terms.
52. **Trademark Searches**: Before using any logos, brand names, or trademarks on your website, conduct thorough trademark searches to ensure you're not infringing on someone else's intellectual property.
53. **User Agreements**: If your website allows user accounts, create clear and enforceable terms of service and user agreements that outline acceptable behavior and copyright responsibilities for your users.
54. **Custom Content Creation**: Invest in custom content creation when necessary. While it may be more expensive, it ensures you have full ownership and control over the content.
55. **International Copyright Treaties**: Familiarize yourself with international copyright treaties, such as the Berne Convention, which can impact copyright protection and enforcement across borders.
56. **Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)**: If you use CDNs to host and deliver content, ensure that the CDN provider's terms align with your legal obligations, especially regarding copyrighted materials.
57. **Data Compliance**: If your website collects and processes user data, adhere to data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, to protect user privacy and avoid legal issues.
58. **Domain Name Disputes**: Be prepared for domain name disputes. Domain names similar to trademarked brands can lead to legal challenges. Understand the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) process.
59. **Accessibility Compliance**: Ensure your website is accessible to individuals with disabilities by adhering to accessibility standards and guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
60. **Digital Rights Management (DRM)**: If your website involves distributing digital media, consider using DRM technologies to protect copyrighted content and prevent unauthorized distribution.
61. **Backup and Disaster Recovery**: Implement a robust backup and disaster recovery plan to ensure that your website content can be restored in case of data loss or legal disputes.
62. **Third-Party Integrations**: If your website integrates with third-party services or APIs, ensure that your use of those services complies with their terms of use and any legal requirements.
63. **Monitoring and Reporting**: Establish processes for monitoring your website for copyright violations, and have mechanisms in place for reporting and addressing such violations promptly.
64. **Insurance**: Consider obtaining intellectual property insurance to protect your website against potential legal claims related to copyright infringement or intellectual property disputes.
65. **Periodic Legal Reviews**: Conduct periodic legal reviews of your website's content, policies, and practices to identify and address any legal risks or compliance issues.
Original Content: Create unique content yourself or hire content creators to produce original articles, images, videos, or graphics.
Licensed Content: Purchase licenses or rights to use copyrighted material from stock photo and video libraries, content marketplaces, or creators.
Public Domain: Source content from the public domain, where copyright has expired or the creator has released it for public use.
User-Generated Content: Encourage users to contribute content through reviews, comments, or submissions, ensuring they comply with your terms of use.
Content Syndication: Share authorized, syndicated content from reputable sources with proper attribution and permission.
Always respect copyright laws, give c