Can I post screenshots from movies/tv online?

[ned4spd8874]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MI

I am working on a new website and one thing I would like to do with this new site is post screenshots of movies, tv, games, etc. I won't be posting full videos or any type of videos. Just a screenshot or two.

Would that be legal?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

[ipatty]

It is copyright infringement to use another's copyrighted work without authorization. To that end, you may be taking a risk by posting copyrighted content without permission in that you might receive a threatening cease and desist letter to take down the allegedly infringing content. It is always best to obtain written permission.

That said, fair use is a defense to copyright infringement. If you are using the screenshots for a non-commercial use, if they are small thumbnails or otherwise small versions of these screenshots, then your use may fall within the ambit of fair use.

These are the general guidelines as to how copyright principles work. I suggest that if you want a more concrete answer, you should contact a copyright attorney.

[ned4spd8874]

I have been searching online and found sites like this: [url=http://www.moviescreenshots.blogspot.com/]Movie Screenshots[/url]

While this isn't exactly what I plan to do, the concept is similar.

There are tons and tons of sites out there that post screenshots. I won't be posting from current movies that are in theaters. I will only post when they are available for sale.

From what I am reading, so long as I use them with "comment" or "research" I should be okay. Which is kinda my plan.

"The copyright law contemplates that fair use of a copyrighted work without permission shall be for purposes such as (1) criticism and comment, (2) parody and satire, (3) scholarship and research, (4) news reporting and (5) teaching, and that such fair use will not result in the infringement of a copyrighted work."

One of the things that I'm still not sure about is if I had ads on my site. I won't have ads on the picture page, but I might on the front page.

[debtcollector`]

I'd like to point out that it doesn't matter how legal the use of the photo is, if you don't have the money to defend it.

Most studios will give you permission to use a shot from the movie. But can you afford to fight a major studio to defend your right to fair use if they don't?


DC