Is this illegal?

[Ascent]

Would it be illegal to take somebody's picture that they posted up on the Internet (not FaceBook/MySpace, but on forums), and make them look ugly, then post it to them as an insult? What if I were to post it as a joke?

 

[Pixel Pirate]

Shouldn't be and if you do go to court you can just claim it as a parody of sorts :/

 

[Justin]

You always need to ask the persons permission before using something of theirs like a picture. It can be illegal.

 

[Jay]

Yeah, I agree with THT. If they took a picture and used/edited it without the original owners permission, it may be counted as a copyright infringement.

 

[Ascent]

Even if it's a personal photo that you just modified to make the person look fat and old?

 

[Justin]

Even if it's a personal photo that you just modified to make the person look fat and old?

Yep, you are still using it. Even if you just put a small speck on it 1px by 1px.

 

[Ascent]

Even if it's a personal photo that you just modified to make the person look fat and old?

Yep, you are still using it. Even if you just put a small speck on it 1px by 1px.

Ah well. It's tempting, but I can control myself.

 

[Cam]

I agree with THT, anyways, if you ever question yourself that something imay be illegal, then don't do it, no questions asked.

 

[kasem]

It won't be copyright infringement unless they copyright the picture am I right?

 

[Justin]

It won't be copyright infringement unless they copyright the picture am I right?

No, you are using their personal information. A picture is information - and editing their original content without their permission.

 

[kasem]

oh yeah, I guess you are right, but who would do that? And how would they know who you are? lol

 

[jglover4168]

i've found that if you wonder if it's illegal you probably shouldn't be doing it..

 

[Justin]

oh yeah, I guess you are right, but who would do that? And how would they know who you are? lol

You'd be surprised :lol:

One of my old classmates from a long time ago - early highschool - got my phone number and address 😛

 

[David]

It would be illegal. That person agrees to the TOS of Facebook (for example) and allows FB to publish it. If you go and take that image off Facebook and manipulate it, you are taking others' information without consent, so it would be illegal.

 

[Callum93]

Even if it is technically, nothing's going to happen to you if you did it 😛

 

[Watch Me Sink]

Actually a 1x1 wouldn't be able to be copyrighted. Just like if I were to get a 600x400 banner completely colored #000000, it wouldn't be able to be copyrighted since there isn't anything unique about it.

You could ask the person to release it under a CC or public domain license though.

Also, it could be considered slander.

 

[kasem]

Yeah I agree with you there.

 

[katy perry is hot]

sbfc is right. No one is really going to give a flying crap. I doubt your facebook friend will file an injunction against you for screwing around with his/her face 😛

 

[Red Herring]

Even if it is technically, nothing's going to happen to you if you did it 😛

Exactly. It would be truly ridiculous if someone actually took you to court because you made them look funny in a picture. For one, it'd cost them a lot more than they would get if they actually sued you over it. I'd like to see someone try.
:roll:

 

[Joel]

I'd say its not illegal. But its a very mean thing to do.