idc:
Hi Gary. I read about the US fair use and the UK fair dealing regarding copyright. Me finding a picture of a Bang & Olufsen for a thread on hifi looks/style or Monty Python stuff for a humerous comment does appear to be covered by fair use, but not fair dealing. i have always avoided obviously copyrighted images (though sometimes I have got it wrong), but from now on I will stick to the royalty/copyright free sites.
(I hope I can find a copyright free pictures of Bang & Olufsen, Monty Python and Lysette Antony or else I am stuffed!)
Hi idc, are you wanting to us the images for your own use or would you ever publish them on the web?
If it's the former, then no-one's going to mind. If the latter, then it would depend on the context in which you used them. If, for example, you produced a listing site that used the images to show a list of sites you liked, or products you liked, then I doubt anyone would worry. To make sure that you don't upset anyone, then include a clause on the site saying something along the lines that you acknowledge copyright and that it remains that of the owner - in that case, I doubt anyone is going to mind. I'd be OK with it if you were linking to an image of one of my products. If, however, you were representing the products for sale, or making commercial gain, then the rules change - considerably.
hth
Gary