Fair Use: The Easiest Way to Get Free Images, Video, and Sound

1. Fair Use: The Easiest Way to Get Free Images, Video, and Sound When it comes to blogging, a challenge that every blogger has to face is finding the free images, videos, and sound that can be legally used. Those who write and read understand that a blog without an image, video or music is like a body without a soul. And the story doesn’t end to only writing part if you are creating the podcast- which is quite popular nowadays- you will still need the sound or part of the music as you can explain it. In short, if you are creating anything for the online audience then, you will absolutely need third party content which is hard to find FREE. If you think that copy-pasting images, video, and sound are fine then, careful the next time you check your email box, there might be a letter from a lawyer with DMCA takedown notice. Or maybe worse. Don’t try to test the limits here. So, what other options do we have? Let me tell you a secret- finding the FREE images, videos and music are easier than you think. Now right before, I start let me tell you I am not a lawyer and you are not a criminal. I am only stating the obvious information you are not aware of so if something is wrong then, let me know.

2. What not to do? Right before, I give you the list of websites that offer free images, videos, and music that you can use for social media marketing, let’s talk about the licensing. Suppose you are creating a podcast and you need some amazing music for the beginning and you can the song in your mind that will perfectly fit. Unfortunately, that’s not going to work. Why? Because to use that famous music, you have to pay the royalties which can seriously dig a hole in your pocket. So, just forget about it. The same applies to the images and videos you want to use in your content. Also, there are several myths you should forget about: I am not using it for commercial purposes so it’s ok – NO it is far from the ok. I only took a part which is less than 10 seconds so, it is ok- NO, it is wrong I am mentioning the creator/owner so, it is ok – again it is NOT ok What if I am being a fair user? Fair use… I have seen many people who come up with this term to avoid getting into a problem that comes with using music, images, and videos without paying the royalty. But there are many people who are unaware of the true meaning of fair use.

3. Here is how Stanford University has defined: “Fair use is the copyright principle based on the belief that the public is entitled to freely use some portions of copyrighted material for the purpose of criticism and commentary” However, the definition of fair use differs from one country to another and in most cases deciding whether the used content falls under fair use or not depends upon the judge. In the whole definition, ‘commentary’ and ‘criticism’ are the two key terms although there is more to discover. In case if you are in doubt whether the piece of the copyrighted material is used under the title of fair use or not, then don’t use it. That’s it for this blog, we will further continue it in the next blog until then, you can visit ProICT LLC to read more of our blogs on Content, SEO Techniques, and social media marketing. Visit today to learn more!