Comments on: album cover art for blog?

Question: album cover art for blog?

mrmarley — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:17:44 -0800

I want to start a cd review blog (w/ adsense ads), can I use album cover art? where could i (legally) get those from?

By: zuhl

zuhl — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:50:12 -0800

Before iiTunes began downloading album art for me, I used to use a program called "Clutter" on the Mac. It basically snatched the album art from amazon.com. Or possibly wal-mart.com?

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.

By: neckro23

neckro23 — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:02:45 -0800

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'.

By: doomtop

doomtop — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:18:58 -0800

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 $$$.

By: nineRED

nineRED — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:28:42 -0800

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.

By: wackybrit

wackybrit — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:37:41 -0800

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.

By: BlackLeotardFront

BlackLeotardFront — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:21:21 -0800

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.

By: jannw

jannw — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:35:27 -0800

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.

By: ckolderup

ckolderup — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:55:26 -0800

Just don't post any pictures of Prince and you should be safe.

By: softlord

softlord — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:16:50 -0800

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.

By: revmitcz

revmitcz — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:16:01 -0800

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.

By: joshrholloway

joshrholloway — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:02:43 -0800

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.