I am starting a conservative newspaper on my campus, was wondering what the rules were for copy/paste pics off the internet.  Is it ok to do that without permission as long as there is no copyright label on it?  As I understand it, it is ok to print pics that have been taken in a public place, like pictures of billboards.  

I have picked up quite a few pro military pics off this site, was wondering if it is ok to print them.  

We are a non-profit, registered school orginization.  TIA, legal eagles.  

Also was wondering if any businesses on here would like to donate, I will run an ad for you if you like, almost any size.  We are just starting up, and we are trying to get the vote out on our campus.  

As I recall, copyright attaches upon creation. The notice is evidence of copyright, not a sine qua non for a copyright claim. Be careful. Only swipe from individuals who are likely to be flattered by the attention. Better advice: find a conservative Intellectual Property lawyer in your town who'll give you a free half-hour tutorial. It can be dangerous business.

BTT, for getting out the college vote.  

Not for profit activities such as college publications, or schoolwork should be covered under fair use act.

Quoted: As I recall, copyright attaches upon creation. The notice is evidence of copyright, not a sine qua non for a copyright claim. Be careful. Only swipe from individuals who are likely to be flattered by the attention. Better advice: find a conservative Intellectual Property lawyer in your town who'll give you a free half-hour tutorial. It can be dangerous business.

Thanks.

What about the pro-military pics that I have picked up off this site, used in pro-military articles?

Basically if I print something without permission and the original owner wants to sue me, they can?

Quoted: Not for profit activities such as college publications, or schoolwork should be covered under fair use act.

Can you tell me more about the "fair use act", or tell me where to find info on it?  Thanks.

Once again, Fair use. The most you would ever get would be a cease and decist letter from someone claiming copyright. Next option for them if you don't stop would be for them to file a court injunction. It would never get past a cease and decist letter but you still should be protected by fair use since it is scholastic and not for profit.

Ask someone on your campus. Heck, ask one of the professors or one of the heads of other publications.

Quoted: Once again, Fair use. The most you would ever get would be a cease and decist letter from someone claiming copyright. Next option for them if you don't stop would be for them to file a court injunction. It would never get past a cease and decist letter but you still should be protected by fair use since it is scholastic and not for profit.

Thanks bro.  Found it:  http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm#test

It is true that a copyright attaches upon creation, but a copyright also must be enforced by the owner or a representative of such copyright. Some pictures may be in the public domain. Some may not be. Also someone may take a picture that is in the public domain and publish it and put a copyright notice on it but they in reality own no claim to copyright. You might try browsing around the US copyright website www.copyright.gov/heck, it may prove me wrong. But when I was doing graphic design in college they told us any images we used for school projects were covered against copyright infringement under fair use. So I would assume an internal school publication would be covered also.

Looks like you would be ok as long as you give credit where credit is due.