Are images I find using Google protected by copyright? May I use them?
Answer
A good rule of thumb is to assume that images you find through Google are copyright protected. Remember the law no longer requires the copyright symbol to be included for copyright protection.
Whether you may or may not use them without permission depends on a number of factors. Your use may be fair use, in which case you are free to use them. You may also want to contact the copyright holder to ask permission before using them.
Finally, many images on Google are licensed under a Creative Commons (www.creativecommons.org/) license which allows users to use the image with certain restrictions.