Forum Suggestions & User Assistance - Copyright infringement when posting photos?

Are we breaching any copyright laws when we post photos from other web sites?

yesshutup.

I really don't see much difference between posting a pic and posting a url to a pic

If you're posting an image from a corporate website (ie a bike picture) often times they view it as extra exposure for their product. Don't think they don't track this stuff. I figure as long as the source is credited (as is usually the case) either by way of having a logo visible or actually having the url availiable then don't worry about it

Technically, yes, you are violating copyright law by posting the pic. Part of the rights of copyright is the ability to determine when/where the item is publicly displayed, and how it is distributed. If you're posting that pic w/o first getting the copyright holder's permission, then you're breaking the law. As Raiyn said, many companies view it as extra exposure/free advertising (the cost of bandwidth notwithstanding).

The difference between posting the pic and posting the URL to the pic is that the image is not visible when only the URL is posted. It's the difference between giving omeone an illegal copy of an item and telling them where they can get their own (legal copy.

I would think there is a difference between copying a picture from a web site and posting, and using the [IMG]URL[IMG] to show the picture.

In the first instance, the provider of the picture has no control over the picture - i.e., if they want to withdraw the picture or change it, it remains the same on the copied page.

In the second instance, the author can change or remove the picture and it is changed or removed on the [IMG]URL[IMG] in the same way, giving control to the author.

Perhaps a small difference, but perhaps important????

It also seems to me that posting a picture on the web makes it sort of fair game.

It also seems to me that posting a picture on the web makes it sort of fair game.
Nope. It's still protected by copyright law.

I don't think anyone is going to spend the money to prosecute someone for using an image on a forum such as this. Especially not in the context that the pictures are commonly used here.

worse thing that can happen is they ask to have it taken down.

worse thing that can happen is they ask to have it taken down.
99 times out of a hundred If it's direct linked they just change the link on their end.
Like so:
http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/507/244601/Dsc01380_640.jpg
Tripod is another that's famous for that

What about a site like this, who's business is selling photos/posters?

http://www.classicrockconcertphotos.com/sabbath.htm

Would reproducing an image such as this on a music forum be a more serious offence?

I would imagine that the people who run that site are a little more picky about the use of their photos than the average website, seeing as how they have the copyright notice on every photo, as well as at the bottom of the page. But, like timmhaan said, the worst thing that will most likely happen is they'll ask you to take it down. Or they could be mean and change it to an embarassing image (I've heard of people doing that).

Of course, you could always take the advice of my former manager: it's easier to beg forgiveness than to request permission.