Nathan Bonilla-Warford: Google is a Method - Not a Source!

Last week I was working with one of my staff members on a video montage project. I had asked her to put together a short sequence that represents us so that we could use it on our webpage, Facebook page,  blog etc. Most of it was done with pictures taken by us or buy a hired photographer and it looked great. However, there were a few images that I didn't recognize. I asked her where she got the images and she said, "Google." I asked,  "But who actually made the images in the first place? Who owns them?" She had no idea.

So after that I spent some time with all the staff that have been tasked to use social media as part of their job. We had a short discussion about copyrights and the importance of intellectual property. I explained that even though these pictures were of products that we sell, those companies do not automatically give us the right to use the images they produce. They have a brand image to maintain and we must get permission to use works that they produce.

Furthermore, we need permission for any picture taken or produced by anyone. They may be a professional photographer who depends on selling images for a living.

Fortunately there are many options for business is to use free and royalty free images. Examples that I use frequently are istockphoto.com and Flickr. I showed the staff how to find images that we can legally use and how to dive credit to the photographer when needed.

But the single biggest point I wanted to make is that Google image search only directs you to images, it does not supply images itself. You have to look at each and individual website to see what their policies are for use before you can use it as your own. This is especially true if you will be using the image for commercial use.

-Nate

PS: If you really want to know the nitty-gritty of what Google does and doesn't allow, check out their Terms of Service.