User blog:Koosha/Using Images On The Web

Copyrighted Images
I've been to many websites, wikia included, and noticed a huge use of images that are, depending on its content and in here I'd like to emphasize on anime and manga, captured from the series, manga pages and covers; so forth. So how far does the Fair Use policy allows that? And to what extent?

Is the Fair Use claim (by using one of those selectable licensing options available when uploading an image) enough or is it there to stay till the copyright holders request to take the image down?
 * e.g
 * {| border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="article-table" style="height: 100px; width: 500px; "

! scope="col"|''This file is copyrighted. The individual who uploaded this work and first used it in an article, and subsequent persons who place it into articles, assert that this qualifies as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.''
 * }

Thus, is it still considered offending the law or rightfully Fair Use in all its right? So does that mean that to provide an image for an article, users may screenshot an image online and have it posted on the article itself~regardless if the image is used for a character, manga or anime series article? I've come across game companies that feature fan site kits for public use, of course with certain terms & conditions to be met. I felt that those terms are at least direct and allow some usage without infringing on copyright via the owners' permission. I wish anime and manga companies, as well as other entertainment companies, are more direct and would in future adopt similar approaches in granting use of images with certain conditions; which I believe makes it easier for using images around the web.

Since the claim for Fair Use is blurry as I read further at Wikipedia, I would very much like help on this discussion and opinions of others on how they see it.

On the other hand, though we're encouraged to approach the license holders/owners for permission, not all companies entertain emails in regards to that inquiry. I guess that's why most would turn to the Fair Use claim without the hassle.

So, what are your views?

Koosha (talk) 07:23, October 3, 2012 (UTC)

--- Commentary: After the 'Copyright webinar', I've learnt some things from a staff and am glad for the clarifications on the Fair Use subject. I'm glad I can contribute images to a certain extent now. :)