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Question: Non-profit use of a copyrighted image!?
Hi all, I have done a fair bit of searching on this subject but still can't find the answer to my question!.
Basically, I am going to put up some posters at work in order to raise awareness of some issues!. I'd like to use some photos taken from the Matrix trilogy of films in order to grab people's attention!.
I'm wondering whether this is copyright infringement!? I do not intend to make any money in any way, just to use the images to get people to read the posters!.
Can I do this or would I need to get permission!? And if so, how would I even start to find out who to ask for permission!?!!
Thanks for any advice you can give me!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
You absolutely have to get permission !.!.!. in fact you will probably have to pay a fee, unless you can convince the owner of the copyright to give you permission for one time use as a donation!.
Actually most charitable organizations do have budgets to pay their staff and contractors (photographers included)!.
You will have to contact the production company of Matrix Trilogy Films !.!.!. usually the PR department to start the ball rolling!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Whether or not a profit is made does not necessarily determine the question of infringement!. The safest course of action is to seek and obtain written permission from the copyright holder!.
I recognize that there are "fair use" provisions and other exceptions written into copyright legislation, but if the copyright holder finds out and disagrees with your interpretation of the law, you will have a lawsuit or worse on your hands!. Therefore, as I pointed out in my original answer, the SAFEST course of action is to seek and obtain the written permission of the copyright holder!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Yes, It is copyright infringement and is illegal no matter what you use it for!. Simply being non profit does not exempt you from copyright laws!.
If you would like to gain permission to use them you need to contact the person or company that owns them!. I am not sure of what studio produced those movies but I would contact them!. Chances are you will have to pay a considerable amount of money to use them though!. They are not likely to let you use them for free not matter what cause you want to use them for!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Allot of answers are saying you outright need permission not matter what!.!.!.!.THIS IS INCORRECT!. There are several "Permitted Acts" within the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988!. One of which is Education purposes!.!.!.!.!.
If used for education purposes you will not require the permission of the owner by virtue of section 32 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988!. Read this legislation on opsi!.gov!.uk - this is where you will find your answer!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
You will need permission from the company that made the films or their agents!.
You cannot use any copyrighted images (whether by payment or not) without permission!.
Though, how the hell they would find out is another matterWww@QuestionHome@Com
Yes, it would be copyright infringement!. Think of another way of getting people's attention!. Putting "SEX" in large letters often works well!. ;-)Www@QuestionHome@Com
Yes, it is an infringement, yes you would need permission!.!.!.I would start with an email to the production company!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
There are numerous Photography forums on the web - people on there who will be better placed to assist on the legal technicalities of such a question!. www!.alamy!.co!.uk being just one that springs to mind!.
However, if the posters are only going to be used at work I can't really see any problems providing you are not using the images in a defamatory way - i!.e!. by claiming that the actor / actress in the picture has some kind of perversion / disease - you get the idea!.
If you want to be 100% above board, check out the film on Amazon, it'll give you the film production company name which you can check and you can then contact them that way - they'll have a PR section who'll be able to help!.Www@QuestionHome@Com