album cover art for blog?
November 14, 2007 8:17 AM Subscribe
I want to start a cd review blog (w/ adsense ads), can I use album cover art? where could i (legally) get those from?
discogs is a good source, especially for more electronic type music.
IANACL, but I'm pretty sure such usage falls pretty squarely under 'fair use'.
posted by neckro23 at 9:02 AM on November 14, 2007
IANACL, but I'm pretty sure such usage falls pretty squarely under 'fair use'.
posted by neckro23 at 9:02 AM on November 14, 2007
If you invest in a scanner or digital camera, you can guarantee being able to get images of the cover art, even for obscure titles. You could also get images of the back and inside covers!
This would be much better than generic images from Amazon or Wal-Mart websites and also would add quality to your review blog and thereby garner more hits and in turn AdSense $$$.
posted by doomtop at 9:18 AM on November 14, 2007
This would be much better than generic images from Amazon or Wal-Mart websites and also would add quality to your review blog and thereby garner more hits and in turn AdSense $$$.
posted by doomtop at 9:18 AM on November 14, 2007
Album art will not be responsible for the success or failure of your blog. I would reevaluate your priorities and focus more on the content you intend to provide your readers. Good luck.
posted by nineRED at 9:28 AM on November 14, 2007
posted by nineRED at 9:28 AM on November 14, 2007
Use the art from Amazon. It's likely to be fair use as you're using it to educate and to provide critical review.
Album art will not be responsible for the success or failure of your blog
I disagree, not necessarily in relation to album art but to pictures on weblogs in general (and album art is likely to be a major part of that here). I've conducted admittedly reasonably informal research and found that when you take similar blogs, one that uses pictures on each post, and one that does not, the one with pictures generally gets better up take (in terms of subscriptions), better click through on items, and so forth.
I have also questioned a number of people who subscribe to feeds with similar findings. It's kinda like how "Click here" on a link can make a big different to clickthrough rates. Eye candy works.
posted by wackybrit at 9:37 AM on November 14, 2007
Album art will not be responsible for the success or failure of your blog
I disagree, not necessarily in relation to album art but to pictures on weblogs in general (and album art is likely to be a major part of that here). I've conducted admittedly reasonably informal research and found that when you take similar blogs, one that uses pictures on each post, and one that does not, the one with pictures generally gets better up take (in terms of subscriptions), better click through on items, and so forth.
I have also questioned a number of people who subscribe to feeds with similar findings. It's kinda like how "Click here" on a link can make a big different to clickthrough rates. Eye candy works.
posted by wackybrit at 9:37 AM on November 14, 2007
For my mp3 blog, I just use google images and search for the artist and album title. Amazon's images are usually pretty decent, and I resize them to 220x220 or so. I also have a disclaimer asking artists to contact me if they don't want me using their stuff.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 10:21 AM on November 14, 2007
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 10:21 AM on November 14, 2007
IAAL etc ...
You will be sitting on the wrong side of copyright law ... which no one may give a shit about ... but if they do ... expect to have to remove the pics.
posted by jannw at 12:35 PM on November 14, 2007
You will be sitting on the wrong side of copyright law ... which no one may give a shit about ... but if they do ... expect to have to remove the pics.
posted by jannw at 12:35 PM on November 14, 2007
Just don't post any pictures of Prince and you should be safe.
posted by ckolderup at 6:55 PM on November 14, 2007
posted by ckolderup at 6:55 PM on November 14, 2007
As long as you're not selling access to the covers, i wouldn't be too worried about a C+D. Unless you're doing MP3s without permission, of course.
posted by softlord at 7:16 PM on November 14, 2007
posted by softlord at 7:16 PM on November 14, 2007
If you're reviewing the albums - cover art would be fair use. That license extends to reviews and parodies, and as long as you're not allowing full-quality, full-length downloads of the music you're reviewing, you should be fine.
posted by revmitcz at 8:16 PM on November 14, 2007
posted by revmitcz at 8:16 PM on November 14, 2007
The only thing that makes this questionable is that it's not a non-profit venture. On the other hand, look at all the other music sites out there and how often that they are using album art in their reviews. I sincerely doubt that even some of the big names are paying for the use of these images.
As others have stated, using low-res (probably 400x400 or below) strictly for critical commentary would probably be safely in the realm of fair use as far as most lawyers and artists are concerned.
Really, when it comes down to it... just do it. The worst that can happen is being issued a C&D that you can then comply to. No lawyer or corporation in their right mind is just going to sue you for thousands of dollars without asking nicely first if you would just take down the image. Most artists and labels probably couldn't care less... so just go for it.
As far as where to get the album art: Amazon, Wikipedia, Wal-Mart, and individual artists' sites are all good. Also, as a last resort you can use this downloader for iTunes album art, though it no longer gives out high-res versions of the art.
posted by joshrholloway at 10:02 PM on November 14, 2007
As others have stated, using low-res (probably 400x400 or below) strictly for critical commentary would probably be safely in the realm of fair use as far as most lawyers and artists are concerned.
Really, when it comes down to it... just do it. The worst that can happen is being issued a C&D that you can then comply to. No lawyer or corporation in their right mind is just going to sue you for thousands of dollars without asking nicely first if you would just take down the image. Most artists and labels probably couldn't care less... so just go for it.
As far as where to get the album art: Amazon, Wikipedia, Wal-Mart, and individual artists' sites are all good. Also, as a last resort you can use this downloader for iTunes album art, though it no longer gives out high-res versions of the art.
posted by joshrholloway at 10:02 PM on November 14, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
Though maybe that drifts into non-legal territory if you are using that art for a commercial purpose? Heck it might have even be infringing for non-commercial personal use.
posted by zuhl at 8:50 AM on November 14, 2007