Beware Copyright Laws: Using other people's work on your website

It's so easy and tempting to do. You're trying to get some new content/pictures up on your website and you can't come up with anything good. But you remember when you were browsing the web earlier in the day, you came across something you really liked.

After thinking for a while, you copy over the content/picture to your own site. Now it's perfect.

No it's not. Before you hit "Save" or "Publish" stop for a moment and think about what you're doing. You're stealing someone's work, without giving them credit and passing it off as your own. It's called copyright infringement - and it's illegal.

If you're caught, and if you're lucky, you'll get a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown notice. This usually comes in the form of a letter stating that you are illegally using someone's content/pictures and they need to be taken off your website ASAP. If you comply, usually not much else will happen.

If you're not lucky, you could be facing a legal nightmare that will cost a lot of money and time. If it's obvious that you heavily profited from someone's work without giving proper credit and/or having their permission, you could be sued by the original copyright owner for damages.

With so much at stake, why do people continue to violate copyright laws on their websites and blogs?

I think the answer has to do with ignorance. A lot of people who aren't web savvy and don't produce a lot of their own content (i.e. websites that are static, such as sales sites) feel that whatever the content they find on the web is free for the taking. They just don't think about the fact that someone else worked hard to produce that content. I see this time and time again with clients who want their website redesigned and/or new and fresh content.

What's the solution? There are several resources online where you can get high-quality photos/graphics for free - and it's legal! One of those sites is called Creative Commons (CC). Most contributors to CC only require that your credit them on your site (CC even gives you a link to make crediting extremely easy).

There are other online services like Creative Commons where you can get pictures/content for free to use on your website.

Another option is to hire a graphic designer or copywriter. The benefits of this approach is that it will make your site unique and customized. It will tell visitors that you invested in your site for that added touch of professionalism.

The downside to this, of course, is that hiring a professional will cost money. The price will vary depending on your specific needs and the rates of the person hired. But for most businesses who want an online presence, the price is well worth it.

Whether you decide to find free and legal pictures/content for your site, or hire a professional to develop a customized solution, as long as your not illegally using someone's work, your website will gain credibility and help your business grow.