Are pictures posted here public domain?

[Jay_Ev]

Simply put, when I browse these forums, is it OK for me to save pictures to my hard drive? Or is that frowned upon? I have a folder on my hard drive simply labeled 'Spyderco' which contains hundreds of images, some of which were taken by members here on the forum. I am not using them for personal profit or gain, nor am I re-posting them elsewhere and claiming they are my own. I simply have them for wallpaper / screensaver purposes and also because many of the photos you guys take have such clarity and visual appeal. I also figure that if I can't have the actual knife, at least I can stare at a picture of it. Thanks!

Jay

[SoCal Operator]

I think for your useage it should be fine. It really depends on the photographer and how you're using the picture. I try to ask before I do anything with someone else's picture just in case.

[bluemist]

Technically speaking, by saving the pictures you are only organizing information that is already on your computer.

[tonydahose]

well i wouldn't use them the way that one bonehead did on ebay...he linked one of Paul's pictures in a knife that he was selling on ebay instead of just taking his own picture....i remember a few guys on here suggesting to Paul that he should change the picture on his site to something a little more risque like a horses' a$$, i dont think he did though...lol

[The Deacon]

Short answer to the original question is no, they are most certainly not "public domain". As for the rest, I can't really see anyone having an issue with what you are doing. Heck, some posts contain links to other "wallpaper size" version of the picture.

It's when someone reposts a photo without attribution to the photographer, or worse yet, tries to pass it off as their own, that hackles start to rise. Linking directly to a photo, even with attribution, is also considered bad form, since you are using someone else's bandwidth without their permission. Assuming the photo was posted on a forum, you should link to the post, or the thread containing the post. If the photo is on someone's personal website, you should link to the site, rather than directly the photo.

[Mr Blonde]

It's when someone reposts a photo without attribution to the photographer, or worse yet, tries to pass it off as their own, that hackles start to rise. Linking directly to a photo, even with attribution, is also considered bad form, since you are using someone else's bandwidth without their permission. Assuming the photo was posted on a forum, you should link to the post, or the thread containing the post. If the photo is on someone's personal website, you should link to the site, rather than directly the photo.

+1 here.

I would not even consider saving pics to a harddrive to be a problem at all. However, if someone would like to use my pics in any way in public, then I'd like to know about it. It's not that I wouldn't mind sharing, but sourcing is important to me.

Wouter

[The Deacon]

As if on cue... (http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33045) :rolleyes:

[flyguy]

Saving them is fine. Any private use of the picture would be no big deal.

If you wanted to create a website and post the pictures on it, then you need to ask permission... Or any other public display / usage.