: User Upload of Images & Copyright Issues I have a hand-coded site. I just started working on a strategy that will allow users to integrate their images and drawings into the site. The problem

@Mendez628

On my site, I restrict the sources of images. My site is published under a Creative Commons license so that I can use many sources such as wikipedia, flickr and such. When an image is submitted, my scripts check the URL matches one of my approved sources and if possible, checks that the license that source published under is compatible with my site.

If a user wants to upload an image to my site, they must first upload it to an image sharing site, such as flickr, then point me at the URL.

This also has the benefit of reducing the problem of malicious uploads. People uploading scripts to hack my system instead of images. Since wikipedia and flickr have already scanned the image for such threats. Course, I still scan them anyway just to be sure but it makes me feel more comfortable.

As for your plan C, I believe this is used by many site. StackExchange seems to use imgur.com to host its image contributions.

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@Jessie594

You can do at least five things to reduce the risk of copyright infringement harming your business:


Upon upload, remind the user not to share copyrighted material. YouTube does this with an 'I own this video or have written permission to share it' checkbox that has to be ticked before the video can be uploaded.
Add two clauses to your terms: one that waives liability for images you display from users, and another that forbids uploading of copyrighted material.
Provide a clear way for copyright holders to apply for material to be removed.
Provide a clear way for other site users to flag images as objectionable or potentially violating copyright. Self-policing online communities are valuable things.
Make it clear who owns images that users upload, perhaps by offering them a choice of licence for the images they upload. (YouTube offers a restricted licence or a copyleft -style one. Flickr does something similar.)

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@Barnes591

Companies don't go around suing everybody who misuses their copyrighted stuff. The legal procedure always begins with a notification of the copyright infringements and specific demands.

Write an EULA

That said, the best procedure would be allowing anything to be posted but have some moderators taking care of removal requests. It also helps if you build a reputation system and punish users who insist in uploading copyrighted data. Describe everything you don't want posted in your site in your EULA - which should be a must to upload or create an account - and other garbage nobody really reads.

BONUS

ThePirateBay stores copies of legal documents from big companies (such as Apple and WarnerBros) threatening to take legal actions if their demands are not met. If big companies like that are so powerless to do anything legally, imagine smaller companies. You should be fine since you're not actually trying to host illegal content intentionally.

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