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RE: Embellishing SteemIt Posts with Microstock
Under free use doctrine, you can use images so long as it is for non-commercial purposes. Considering that Steemit compensates you for creating content, I'm not 100% sure where Steemit posts fit into that doctrine.
According to this article, I think you can make a good case for fair use on Steemit posts, so long as you are simply using the image as a visual aid for a fact-based post. But it does also caution that if you invoke fair use, you have the burden of proof.
If the nature of your work is creative in nature, rather than fact-based, you should stick to public domain images.
I am hoping that the compensation people receive on SteemIt will inspire people to learn about copyright laws and the Fair Use Doctrine.
I read the article in the link. It actually showed that Fair Use doctrine is extremely complex.
Fair Use is not a singular concept derived from the ether. It is a very complex set of rulings that have taken place over time. The rulings take into account who created the content, the nature of the content and how it is being used.
The article mentioned that courts take into account the financial impact that copying content has on creators.
Even if I am not making a profit, my placing the content of a creator on my server should have a negative impact on the creator.
The amount of money a person makes and how they make it matters as well.
BTW, I've noticed that Tumblr and Youtube routinely remove content from their site for copyright concerns.
Some people want programs like SteemIt's beloved @cheetah to scour social media for copyright violations.
I am hoping that people on SteemIt will start self policing their content.
The reason that I pointed to microstock is to show that it is possible to bring down the cost of microstock to a reasonable level. The blockchain has reduced transaction costs, so it is becoming easier to negotiate and pay for materials.
I would argue that if you really are abiding by free use, and you are giving a detailed reference for the work, that that creates a net positive for most creators because it brings attention to their work, and that increased profile enhances their hireability. It also increases traffic to the publisher's site. But I agree that it's a gray area. I try not to appeal to fair use unless I can't get a relevant image any other way. Most of the time, I just use http://www.publicdomainpictures.net . Lots of great free images on that site. But if you can't find a public domain image that is suitable, and fair use does not apply, then yes, you should just pay for an image or create one yourself.