Position:Home>Visual Arts> How Do I know if a pic I download has a copywrite or not? I want to use the pic

If you have no idea where it came from, do not use it!. You have to have clear knowledge and proof that it's in the public domain or free for any use before you can use it, otherwise you are risking a copyright violation!. While the chances may be small that you would be caught, it's not worth the risk that someone could recognize it and know the source and turn around and sue you for breaking copyright!.

If you are serious about developing an image/logo for a business, you would be best to hire a graphic designer!. You could then show this image to the designer and say I want something like this, but not a copy!. You can discuss what your business is, who you want to sell to, and so on!. The designer can then work up several designs inspired by the image, but not copying it, and you would decided which one you like best!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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unless it has a licence that is expressly public domain, copy free or creative commons you should assume there are copyrights involved!.
Even copy free usually forbids commercial use and requests that you credit the person who created it!.

Public domain sources!.
http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/Wikipedia:P!.!.!.

http://srufaculty!.sru!.edu/david!.dailey/p!.!.!.

and a piece about copyright law;
http://englishhistory!.net/tudor/art!.html

If I really could not find the source I would likely use the image under the fair use policy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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You shouldnt use it for commercial uses!. You said its for business, and even if you DID credit the creator, I doubt they would want you making money off their work!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Where did you download it, and provide a link so we can look at it maybe !?Www@QuestionHome@Com

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