Oops, Dave (copyrighted images)

I hyperlinked a photo for a tree id...it wasnt until after i did it that i went surfing around some more on the site and it said that i had to have prior permission to use the photo. im not sure if hyperlinking is considered "using" but if it is, could you remove it for me..
actually, im gonna remove it now and if its okay, ill put it back.
could you post the internet etiquette of using photos?
thanks
jen

Jen,

Hyperlinks to any photo are absolutely fine. There's nothing wrong with that at all.

The etiquette is that you can hyperlink to anything you want, but if you wanted to COPY that image and put it on your own homepage or something (as opposed to just linking to it), then that would be a problem.

So, you're okay. :)

Dave

whew, thanks dave

I don't think many people realize that copying any picture that you didn't create yourself is a big NO NO. By creating yourself that means - YOU took the picture. That doesn't mean you can scan it from a seed package, book, or copy it from an other site to your own hard drive and post elsewhere. Sometimes it's not that big a deal - but you never know when you might tick off the wrong person.

I had a hard time on e-bay - when someone decided to use my pictures to create her own website. It wasn't a personal homepage ... she was using my pictures to sell seeds at ridiculously high prices. It was a big hassle for me and believe me I was absolutely furious! It took a lot of chasing around but I eventually was able to get her site shut right down.

Linking to another site where a picture is posted is a different situation. You haven't copied the picture and there's nothing wrong with referring someone to a picture. Obtaining permission to use a picture is easy enough to do as well. Most people are flattered when someone asks and they worst that can happen is they'd say no - and there's no harm done in that.

Sue is right on. I agree 100%.

I would add that there are a *few* sites that allow anyone to use their photos for any non-commercial purpose. It's still good to ask before you use their photos; and to give credit to the source for the photo.

Sue, after viewing your site, I can see why someone was tempted to use your work - your garden photos are very beautiful. But I too would have been furious if I had been in your shoes!

thanks for all the info yall
jen