Design Challenges

Borrowing on the Web

I understand that stock photos are expensive. I understand that you may be a great designer, but not an illustrator and therefore cannot create your own imagery. I understand that you may not be a great photographer or that you lack professional equipment. I am a very understanding guy, but what I don't understand is ripping someone stuff from a Web site and calling it yours.

I know that the Web browser makes it pretty darn easy to download photos. Simple HTML allows you to place this images on your site, but that doesn't make it right. Folks, I have said once, twice, even more than three times, but it bears repeating, copyright violations are unacceptable. Just because images are on the Web, does not mean that they are free for the taking. Look at it this way, if you had a can of soda by your desk, but you weren't around, would it be okay for me to take a sip or better yet the whole can, because you are not there to tell me NO!!!

So why do so many people think it is alright for me as a designer to go to someone's Web site and rip imagery that they find appealing? The bottom line is that I will not commit copyright infringement and you shouldn't either. The fact that your mom told you not to steal when you were a youngster still holds true.