This is a legal question about images

[multimediocrity]

Am I allowed to use commercially photographs taken by others? I do not know who took most of them, and many may even be subject to public domain. Would it be legal to use a caption showing where I got the image if it did belong to someone?

Thanks,
Multi

[tracknut]

No, you're not. Unless you have a license to use a photo, or you know that it's "public domain" which would mean the photographer specifically released the rights for the photo, then it is copyrighted. So if you just "find" a photo, you have neither of those things.

And putting in a caption showing where you got it is kind of equivalent to putting a sign below your stereo "this stereo stolen from the guy down the street" and somehow thinking that makes it all ok... :)

Dave

[6StringGeek]

Google public domain photos and you'll find a ton of free stuff.

Here's a good starting point: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_page

[multimediocrity]

Cool! Thanks for the links.

Yeah, I figured that whole stereo example applies pretty well. However, I was thinking this in terms of referencing other's work in a text. You can use what they say, or even quote it, but you need to reference it according to publication standards.