copyright

[bonnie]

does anyone know?
I wrote a book.
I found a picture on Microsoft word I want to use for the
cover.
Question, can I legally use and publish that picture with
out infringing on any copyright laws?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

See http://www.microsoft.com/permission/copyrgt/cop-img.htm

 

[Graham Mayor]

See the link Suzanne has provided and when you read it, you will see that
Microsoft in its inimitable fashion has ensured that whatever you do has the
potential to be a legal minefield. May I suggest that you search the
internet for some public domain artwork that you can use freely and not
involve yourself with possible legal repurcussions if your book proves
successful

--
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Graham Mayor - Word MVP
E-mail (e-mail address removed)
Web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site www.mvps.org/word
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[Eric Lawrence [MSFT]]

If you do manage to find truly "public domain artwork" which allows that
use, please let me know. I'd love to see the source.

I don't believe the terms in section 1.2
(http://office.microsoft.com/o/tou.aspx) are hard to understand or represent
a "legal minefield" although, as with anything involving the law, you should
talk to a lawyer. (In my experience, any non-lawyer who gives legal advice
which isn't "talk to a lawyer" probably isn't very experienced in legal
matters.)

Thanks,

Eric Lawrence
Program Manager
Assistance and Worldwide Services

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Eric, there is clip art (and also photos and other graphics) that is sold
(at a rather high price) as "royalty-free," but it is not free and not
available online except as a paid download.

 

[Eric Lawrence [MSFT]]

Oh yes, ~royalty free~ I've seen. In fact, we have a number of partners who
provide such content: See the "Providers" section in the right-hand side of
the Clip Art homepage.

As you've observed, "Public domain" is another matter entirely. Even
artists gotta eat.

Eric Lawrence
Program Manager
Assistance and Worldwide Services

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

At least royalty-free artwork (and music) has the right idea: you buy
something, and you can do whatever you want with it. It's not hard to
understand why many users are surprised, when they have paid for a
collection of clip art or photos or borders or whatever, to learn that if
they want to use it in a published work, they must pay a royalty to the
artist/publisher/photographer, etc.