copyright law - who is responsible?

[The Adorable Snowman]

Hey, I've just created a photo board on my forum.

I was wondering, if a member posts photos and they don't have the copyright / copyright permission for them is that a TOS violation for my forum or just for the member?

In other words, would my whole forum be at risk of being deleted if that was the case?

[Mario Party]

cybersuburbia said:

Hey, I've just created a photo board on my forum.

I was wondering, if a member posts photos and they don't have the copyright / copyright permission for them is that a TOS violation for my forum or just for the member?

In other words, would my whole forum be at risk of being deleted if that was the case?

Ive seen this answered many times, It depends on the situation.

[The Adorable Snowman]

lsw said:

cybersuburbia said:

Hey, I've just created a photo board on my forum.

if a member posts photos and they don't have the copyright / copyright permission for them is that a TOS violation for my forum or just for the member?

In other words, would my whole forum be at risk of being deleted if that was the case?

Ive seen this answered many times, It depends on the situation.

I put a warning below the board:

WARNING: DO NOT violate copyright law. If you see an image on another website and you want to use it ask the owner for their permission first.

If there was a copyright issue the TOS staff will see I'm doing what I can to stop people illegally using images.

I'm going to add a thread in the photo board and sticky it. It'll tell members about images they can and can't use so "hopefully" that will prevent a situation ever arising.

[kapt]

Just make sure they are hosting the image(s) themselves. As long as they are not hotlinking an image, and it didn't say not to use the image on the site they got it from you should be alright

Kapt~`'-

[🎶Sossity🎶]

Also, avoid anything with logos, or photographers name emblazened across it. Getty images actively persue anyone using their images, if they are not paid for.

If a member post an image which is against the rules, then you'll receive a warning; however, if a staff member posts such a thing, then your board will be deleted without a warning.

[Craig]

Try putting a disclaimer at the bottom of your board, to the effect of ' all images used on this forum are believed to be used without any copyright restrictions. However, if you believe that any image used does need permission to be used, then feel free to contact me and i will remove it' something like that should keep you out of trouble.