Using images from a forum for my own website

[ace07]

So I want to have pictures on my website from specific stuff. I would like to use pictures from a forum. On the forum it is not stated that the pictures uploaded by users are copyrighted. The pictures do not contain people, just objects.

If I use them on my own webpage can I get into trouble ?

 

[cobaltblue87]

Are they pictures that someone on the forum created specifically? Or something they found online themselves? All depends on your answer really.

 

[NutraCash]

You could always try using them and providing a link back to the forum where you got it.

 

[ace07]

Hi, they are pictures taken by forum members (they are not registered) and the forum topics get deleted after a time, so it is not possible to link them. As for the pictures they are not like amateur photography related pictures just simply showing objects.

 

[Whiskee]

Are we talking "anonymous, deleted after a while" as in that one number, four letters board I can't mention here?
I guess you could do a Google Image Search for each picture to see if they are hosted anywhere else on the Internet, I mean copyright still exists but I doubt anyone would dispute the ownership.

 

[Capo Dei Capi]

You can't get in trouble over some images like that since they don't have any retail value(not being sold) and the people would need to spend thousands of dollars to sue you which then is very difficult to collect on even if they do win. Using pictures taken by other people is mostly safe.

 

[ace07]

yes So there is no copyright on these images as I assumed?

 

[tiyowan]

If you're worried about and the pictures are of some plain objects,
perhaps consider doing a Google search for images of the same
objects, but apply a filter so you only get back Creative Commons
pictures.

The recommendation made earlier to search for similar images by
uploading the images from the forum and checking whether they
are hosted elsewhere is also good.

 

[GodsOwnWriter]

It would be better to get licensed images from stock websites as the owner can file a copyright infringement against you. Or you can take permission from the owner and keep a copy of that for future reference.

 

[twist13]

Right click on the images - Search Google for this image. If it's hosted anywhere else, check its license. If it's under CC, good.
If not, then you shouldn't use them.
Btw, search for some stock cc photos related to your topic. There are many websites filled with beautiful stock CC photos.