Using screenshots on website - legality

rninja

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Good evening all,
I was thinking about the use of screenshots from other websites on my own website - is this considered totally legal and beyond reproach? any special guidelines to follow?

I really need to include screenshots on my site to illustrate various points, just want to avoid any future hassle.
 

Jon

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Good evening all,
I was thinking about the use of screenshots from other websites on my own website - is this considered totally legal and beyond reproach? any special guidelines to follow?

I really need to include screenshots on my site to illustrate various points, just want to avoid any future hassle.
Is there a reason you can’t just take the screenshot yourself?
 

rninja

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sorry, i meant me taking my own screenshots of content from other websites to explain a concept in one of my posts/pages.
 

homie

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Good evening all,
I was thinking about the use of screenshots from other websites on my own website - is this considered totally legal and beyond reproach? any special guidelines to follow?

I really need to include screenshots on my site to illustrate various points, just want to avoid any future hassle.

Can't see that being a problem. Seems like fair use to me.
 
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David Says...

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TL;DR - probably fine, but acknowledge the original and don't take the piss.


Website designs and content are subject to copyright (even under very permissive licenses - the only exception being those under 'public domain').

Using a screenshot on your blog is likely to permissible under 'fair dealing', as @homie says, but you should use them in compliance with the Copyright Act:


i.e. don't 'quote' more than you need to for the purposes of review, and give 'sufficient acknowledgement'. Acknowledgement might include a link to the page or site that you are screenshotting.

What I suspect wouldn't be classed as 'fair dealing' might include:
  • screenshots of offer details in the members' section of PA or OM
  • making commercial gain directly from the screenshot, rather than from your review or criticism (so don't do a print-on-demand t-shirt of the Amazon homepage!
Other things to consider:
  • Something might be 'legal', but still piss someone off. Don't use a screenshot if you think that it might jeopardise a relationship with a site (e.g. an affiliate relationship). Ask the site or your affiliate manager if it's OK to use if you're not sure.
  • Conversely, a screenshot might not fall under 'fair dealing', but the copyright owner might be happy for you to use it because it increases their profile. Again - generally best to ask.
  • Sometimes a site will have the right to use content, but not own it themselves. Getty Images have been known to send hefty retrospective invoices for unauthorised use of their work. Try to avoid screenshots of pages using stock photography.
  • Make sure that using the screenshot doesn't imply in any way that you are connected with the original site. If it's likely to confuse visitors then it could be seen as 'passing off'. Clear acknowledgement should help.
  • If the site emails you asking to take it down, I'd personally just do it. It may well be legal but the hassle of fighting something like this is hardly ever worth it.
 
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Jon

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sorry, i meant me taking my own screenshots of content from other websites to explain a concept in one of my posts/pages.
yeah I wouldn't go with that

Once they find out and request it to be taken down you might as well have done the screenshots yourself
 
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