Old Iron (titled edited to: Posting of photos from other sources)

[thiggy]

Sharpen up the saw Ma, we've got a tough one here!
Edit - I just realized that the link I had posted was not permitted.  What is the proper method of referring to a photo on another site?

[Tom]

There isn't a good way, Thiggy.  If you copy the picture, you might be infringing copyright.  If you make a link here that posts the picture here, you are using up their bandwidth.  If you make a link sending our members there, you are diminishing the number of members on our forum.

Probably the "best" way is to write them and get permission to use the photo.   Then save their permission in case you are ever questioned and to include their credits when you post it.

[Jeff]

Case in point. I got this email this morning. Short and too the point.

Subject: COPYRIGHT

I would like to speak with Jeff B regarding the use of my image (which is under copyright).
https://forestryforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2409

Can I call this number to speak with Jeffrey Brokaw?
XXX XXX XXXX

Or can you respond immediately & let me know what you are doing with this graphic on your site?

(name edited out)

My Reply:
Hello,
Apparently several years ago someone added that photo to the Forestry Forum galleries. I did a search and it was never used within the forum, so I cant tell who had tried to use it. We did a software change about 3 years ago, and all previous photos when moved to the new system were attributed to me, as I am the administrator, and they had all been lumped together before. However since that time, each member has their own gallery. I have immediately deleted your image from our server and I apologize that it was ever there. With 4000 members its a running battle trying to make them understand it is not appropriate to use images they simply find on the internet. Again, I apologize and the image has been removed.  That is my phone number and if you feel the need to talk further about this, you are more then welcome to give me a call.

Regards,
Jeff Brokaw


There are a lot of people out there and a lot of web sites that simply DO NOT LIKE you using their images. Thats why I have the rules I have in place. If I could have identified the person who posted the copyright photo, I would have been obliged to turn that information over if they requested. The new gallery identifies each one of us as the person posting an image, and that is by design. I can't be responsible or the forum can't be responsible for the content members post. I've had people get *pithed big time when I remove a post where I KNOW the photo is lifted. I've had people quit, but the email such as I got this morning is not the first time its happened, thats why I am so strict about the photos being on the forum, so the admins have ultimate control over the content and source of content and can take immediate action when necessary. I'm going to move this thread to the general board for now where it can get a little more exposure as it is an important information for members to know, as they are ultimately, and legally responsible for what they post on the forum.

Thiggy, not trying to lash out at you, just so happens your thread was topical for the moment. Thanks for giving me an in to post that email. ;)