Profile Pic Copyright

[MysteryMailMan]

Hey, I thought it was about time I change my profile pic but before I do so, I just wanted to ask if a picture is copyrighted will I get in trouble for using it as a profile pic? I’m not really sure how copyright works so I thought I’d ask before making it my pic.

[silverlight-29]

Hey, I thought it was about time I change my profile pic but before I do so, I just wanted to ask if a picture is copyrighted will I get in trouble for using it as a profile pic? I’m not really sure how copyright works so I thought I’d ask before making it my pic.

If you don't use the image to gain profit and you don't receive an express denial to use that pic from the owner you should be ok

[lmind]

Hey, I thought it was about time I change my profile pic but before I do so, I just wanted to ask if a picture is copyrighted will I get in trouble for using it as a profile pic? I’m not really sure how copyright works so I thought I’d ask before making it my pic.

As a purely legal matter, yes. In the US, pictures are protected by copyright, and posting a picture online without authorization is copyright infringement. Whether you are using the art for profit or personal gain is irrelevant. There are deep rabbit-holes of many defenses, but I will cut to the conclusion and say that none of those apply here.

As a practical matter, you must weigh the probability of getting "caught" for yourself. Anecdotally, I have never heard of anyone getting sued for copyright infringement for using an unaltered clip of a picture as a profile pic online.

-lmind

[MysteryMailMan]

Ok thanks a lot guys. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing something I’m not supposed to.