Copyright for celebrity gossip blog pictures?

If you run a company, I would suggest you have attorney(s) specializing/experienced in all aspects of your company (i.e. defamation, privacy rights, copyright, using ones representation for financial gain etc.) Asking sporadic questions online is not smartest way to protect your financial investment in your company. That being said... if you take your own photos, I imagine that is fine... if you are getting photos off of google etc... you are violating copyright laws and may be liable. Search for photos that are approved for use. See Links below. Hope that helped answer your question.

Q: "If i give credit where I got that picture can I still get sued?" R: Of course. What is it that makes you think you can lawfully use someone else's property without paying for it? You did nothing to create the photograph -- you didn't train to be a photographer, buy the camera, track down the subject, or process the picture. Yet you think it may be ok to copy someone else's photographs and publish them for your financial benefit? Hmm.

Photographer's credit will not suffice, you will need to take the photo yourself or buy a license to use it. There is a secondary issue that you should be aware is that you are in the business of divulging private details of a semipublic/public persona. You may have a case of fair use if it is in the context of news/commentary, but it is a fine line and you need to have an IP attorney in your speed dial phone because there will be many instances where you may cross the line.

There is much you need to know about the legalities of blogging. I suggest you do not attempt to write your own legal policies. This is not where your training and background lie, and though you are probably as smart as an attorney, you do not have their experience. Below is a checklist for legal issues I use for new clients. 1. Business entity - Are you going to be a C corp, an LLC or a sole proprietorship? 2. Terms of Service - This is your contract with your visitors and is the most important item for any e-commerce site. A little work here brings big dividends in the future. 3. Privacy Policy - Every e-commerce site needs a privacy policy! 4. FTC guidlines - The FTC has been regulating business advertising for almost a century. All of their advertising guidlines apply to e-commerce sites. 5. Domain Name issues? Is your name available. Can you create a Trademark? 6. Trademark - Do you have a brand name free from conflict? Should you start with just common law rights? Should you register the mark, and when? 7. Copyright - If it is on the web, it already belongs to somebody. Did you buy a license for the images you are using? Do you have a DMCA notice on your web site? 8. Do you need a DMCA policy? 9. Web Site security issues? 10. Do you need and have an EIN? You can get that for free. 11. Do you have employees? - If so you need written policies regarding their authority and use of the internet. 12. Do you know the difference between a "browser wrap" and a "click wrap" and which do you need? When I discuss this list with clients other issues arise. Finally, I always discuss with my clients their need for good accounting services. An accountant's advice as you start up can save you many dollars in tax that you might not save if you wait to speak to an accountant until your first tax return is due. I hope this list will give you pause to think about those issues for which you might need to seek professional advice. You may want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Most lawyers on , including myself, offer a free phone consultation. __________________ Andrew M. Jaffe Attorney at Law Practice Limited to E-Commerce and Internet Law [email protected] 330-666-5026 www.netlaws.us

Yes, you can and will get sued even if you give credit. Giving credit does not give you permission to use or reproduce another's copyright-protected work. This is clear copyright infringement and a classic misunderstanding of copyright law. If you already have these pictures up on your site, you should remove them immediately.