Can you use any photo in any newspaper anyway you want?

Question

Are newspaper photos public domain or personal property? Would a person be legally responsible to the photographer or the publisher?

Thanks for you input. How do some magazines and people use ads (ie. anti-ads) and what about collages? What if you chop it up?

Answer 1

I think perhaps when you are thinking about public domain you may be thinking of "nominative fair use" or "fair use" laws which allow you to photograph copyright or trademark material under very specific conditions. You may want to google "fair use" as it applies to photography to get a better understanding.
That said, the image(s) are definately the property of the newspaper or one of the various news agencies that newspapers rely on like Reuters or Associated Press. If you plan to reprint this image or use it in any various forms of media in which you are getting money(or not getting money), then by all means get a release or face legal action against you.
On the other hand if you are using this image to illustrate some report which is not going to be published or viewed en-masse then don't worry (for example a school report or a powerpoint presentation).

Answer 2

Newspaper photos are not public domain. I believe they are a work made for hire, so the copyright goes to the newspaper company, not the photographer.

Answer 3

You may not use newspaper photos in the public domain for personal gain...aka making money.

Answer 4

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, anything that is printed or published by a professional is automatically copyright to the publisher.

They dont have to say "Copyright" anywhere.

As a rule of thumb, did it cost someone money to make it or publish it? Yes = its copyright.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

newspapers are copy write protected.

Answer 7

just for the record - one word - copyright.

Answer 8

2 words, copywrite
you'll have to get permission to use