Is It Allowed To Use Pictures Of Celebrities To Sell A Product?

[Avantador]

Can I use unprofessional pictures taken by fans of celebrities on my website? These pictures are everywhere and I don't tell any lie, or even quote anything they say. I don't even say a thing about them. Like I mentioned, the pictures are not by professional photographers and were taken by normal people. Is it allowed to add their pictures to my website?

 

[OldWelshGuy]

yes you can add them to your website if it is a fansite, it is unlikely they will do anything about it.

What are you going to sell though?

 

[Avantador]

ohh actually I didn't mean I have a fan site. I'm going to use them in my online store, just around the website. Is that okay too?

 

[StevensOnln1]

If theres any suggestion that they're endorsing your website/products then it will only be a matter of time before you hear from their solicitors.

Sent from my GT-P1000 using UK Business Forums

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Thats what I was getting at. you have to be very careful when using celebrity images on a commercial site, Imagine if you had a site selling meat products and used a celebrity image of a devout veggie!

They would have you in court for damages before you could blink.

What is the reason for using celebrity images, can you give us a better idea of what you are selling and why there is a need for celeb images.

 

[MASSEY]

It's all a bit grey. Ideally you wouldn't use images taken by someone else on a site you are profiting from, professional quality or amateur, unless you have some sort of permission.

But the chances are the fan who took the photo wont care. But as said, you want to avoid making it look like your products are endorsed by the celeb in the pic.

 

[jim_gold]

I once had to pay a penalty for using unlicensed photos on a website.

We had contracted a web designer a couple of years previously who just pulled some photos off Google Images.

No redress from him though unfortunately as he had disappeared.

Always use your own photos or photos, photos from an image agency, or photos with commercial rights under Creative Commons (you will still have to give attribution to the photographer). Notwithstanding, as has been said before, you leave yourself open to litigation if you infer any kind of connection between the celebrity and your products if there is none.

 

[Avantador]

I want to sell sunglasses. And the reason that I use their pictures is because they are actually wearing them. So I thought to show people that celebrities like the sunglasses brand. That's all. Would that at least be okay?

 

[thelegalstop]

You have to be very careful with this, as the line is very thin. Some of the celebrities don`t like seeing their images used, without being paid for example, so they will happily take some legal action. Are those glasses expensive? Can you send them a pair as a request to use the pictures or something like that?

 

[Avantador]

You have to be very careful with this, as the line is very thin. Some of the celebrities don`t like seeing their images used, without being paid for example, so they will happily take some legal action. Are those glasses expensive? Can you send them a pair as a request to use the pictures or something like that?

Why would they want a pair if they are already wearing them -.-

 

[vvaannmmaann]

This from 2006;
https://forums.digitalpoint.com/threads/using-celebrity-photos.59343/

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Just because they're wearing a pair of the sunglasses that you're selling doesn't give you the right to use their image on your website.

It is also possible that they've been given these glasses by the manufacturer FOC to promote the product already, you need to watch where you go with this one TBH... by using the images you could also be going against your contract from your supplier...

Why not contact the manufacturer/supply chain that you're already getting them from and ask them for images to use on your website... IF they send you something with a celebrity in it, then you'll have the images that you want.

 

[Lens Flair Photographic]

Bottom line is you cannot just take a photograph even by a "non professional" and use it.

Unless it has been published with a non restrictive "creative Commons licence, or other such agreements, copyright is with the photographer.

Even an amateur can take legal redress for copyright infringement.

 

[Riverbed]

You would need to check two things:

1. does the celeb have a deal with the sunglass manufacturer?

2. does the manufacturer / distributor of the glasses know you are showing the picture with their product being worn by a celebrity?

for example...

if you wanted to sell Nike shoes through your shop - it might be ok to have a pic of Christiano Ronaldo wearing his boots on your website - but you'd be best placed to get written permission from the manufacturer or distributor - each contract is different.

CR might only want his pic on big billboards or tele ads... not everywhere, just make a call and find out what the deal is.

 

[rands09]

NO ..you are not legaly allowed to use anyone's picture be it a celebrity or not, without the permission of a photographer/agency who owns the pictures or his assisgnes. The moment you commercially exploit a celebrity pictures without license you are inviting trouble

I presume, just like everyone, you want your product to be well-known to the world and the moment it becomes propular carrying the pictures of a celebrity, you will start receving copyright claims from their solicitors claiming a large percentage of your profits for illegaly benefiting from the popularity of the celebrity.

 

[Riverbed]

NO ..you are not legaly allowed to use anyone's picture be it a celebrity or not, without the permission of a photographer/agency who owns the pictures or his assisgnes. The moment you commercially exploit a celebrity pictures without license you are inviting trouble

I presume, just like everyone, you want your product to be well-known to the world and the moment it becomes propular carrying the pictures of a celebrity, you will start receving copyright claims from their solicitors claiming a large percentage of your profits for illegaly benefiting from the popularity of the celebrity.

I agree - a celeb is a brand. best checking in the first instance with the legal dept of the brand he/she is wearing and ask for advice, I wouldn't do it, you could get a stiff warning.

 

[thelegalstop]

Why would they want a pair if they are already wearing them -.-

Because he can give them different ones

 

[Avantador]

You would need to check two things:

1. does the celeb have a deal with the sunglass manufacturer?

2. does the manufacturer / distributor of the glasses know you are showing the picture with their product being worn by a celebrity?

for example...

if you wanted to sell Nike shoes through your shop - it might be ok to have a pic of Christiano Ronaldo wearing his boots on your website - but you'd be best placed to get written permission from the manufacturer or distributor - each contract is different.

CR might only want his pic on big billboards or tele ads... not everywhere, just make a call and find out what the deal is.

I don't think that the celebrities that I show actually have a deal with the brand. So if the supplier agrees for me to use the pictures, does it mean that I actually can?

 

[ethical PR]

The brand can't give you permission to use images they don't own.

 

[Faith28]

Avantador...you just missed the best bit of advice on this thread!!! Here it is again:

You have to be very careful with this, as the line is very thin. Some of the celebrities don`t like seeing their images used, without being paid for example, so they will happily take some legal action. Are those glasses expensive? Can you send them a pair as a request to use the pictures or something like that?

Can't you see what this mean - you have a door open by sending a pair of sunglasses to the celebrity and ask if they like them and show them a picture of what you have...maybe even tweet to them first or use social media as a way to bring interest into your brands of sunglasses.

If you can't see this as an opportunity to get your brand 'out there' then I don't know what more to say.

 

[Avantador]

Avantador...you just missed the best bit of advice on this thread!!! Here it is again:



Can't you see what this mean - you have a door open by sending a pair of sunglasses to the celebrity and ask if they like them and show them a picture of what you have...maybe even tweet to them first or use social media as a way to bring interest into your brands of sunglasses.

If you can't see this as an opportunity to get your brand 'out there' then I don't know what more to say.

First, how do I contact them? Second, do they actually have time for that? Third, wouldn't they want to get paid?

 

[Dynumo]

Perhaps you could make some sort of deal with the guys at www.coolspotters.com.

 

[Faith28]

First, how do I contact them? Second, do they actually have time for that? Third, wouldn't they want to get paid?

You won't know until you try. Got get your creative hat on.

 

[Avantador]

The coolspotters.com idea is brilliant but take a look at what I've found. A website with a lot of daily visitors, that sells sunglasses with pictures of celebrities wearing them: sunglassesuk.com/celebrities

How did they do it?

 

I want to sell sunglasses. And the reason that I use their pictures is because they are actually wearing them. So I thought to show people that celebrities like the sunglasses brand. That's all. Would that at least be okay?

I'd say absolutely no way you should use these pics, no matter who has taken them.

You would be implying by using these photos that your product was being endorsed by the celebrity, and they come down hard on that sort of thing.

I have a photographer friend who gets press-type tickets for loads of bands, etc - and she cannot even use any of the pics she uses to promote her own services on her web-site....even though she's invited to the gigs in the first place.

The only way you could use photos of a celebrity in any way endorsing your product would be if they were photo's from the manufacturers which they had full rights to, and had given you their permission as an approved agent etc.

I'd shy away - you could get badly hurt financially if one takes offence.

 

[patientlady]

No, you cannot use their images for your commercial site or products without their permission. This can become a legal issue which will create problem for you in future. SO, it is advisable to avoid this type of work.

As I would not like you to use my photo either

 

[Lens Flair Photographic]

OK not sunglasses but this gives you an idea of what could happen.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...ace-company-using-face-advert-permission.html

 

[beasty]

Do not do this, if you imply they are endorsing or in some way associated with your company you WILL be sued, it is not a question of if only when.

If you are not sure, the default setting is DO NOT DO IT..