Do you need legal rights to pictures in Facebook posts

[theLotter]

When I add an image to a Facebook post (for a FanPage) does it need to be something I own or have credited, or can I use whatever images I like?

Is this something that is at all monitored?

Thanks!

[RobertFisher]

Sara, 
You need to use images that are either yours, you bought from a seller of images, or are in the public domain without copyright. A FanPage is a commercial endeavor and as such you will have no protection IMO if you use someone else's copyrighted material.

For basic images, you can use a supplier like IStock, etc.

Whether or not it is monitored is not the issue. Understand that if it were your image and I took it to use somewhere without your permission, whether or not I am caught does not change what I did. Also, if I am eventually caught, I had better be prepared to pay if the owner believes they have been harmed in any way and brings an action against me.

Hope this helps,

[Highland]

I dunno that I would be as scary as Robert about it. With Facebook, it's perfectly acceptable to link and then attribute the image. This way nobody sees it as your image.

I would not do this on your website but, within social media, it seems to be acceptable.

[RobertFisher]

Highland,

I understand what you are saying, but fear it draws some poor conclusions.

While you can give attribution, that will not protect you if you are using someone else' copyrighted material for a commercial enterprise. Attribution, like with an infographic for example is more of an Internet term of art.

If, given the broad question Sara asked, they use someone's material in a way that could be construed as an endorsement of their fan page, there will be a problem. The bigger issue is not even penalty or being scared. If it is not yours, why would you use it without permission? Yes, there are ways you can use it with attribution, but the question is overbroad to say that it is perfectly acceptable. A big question for me,  based on your answer, is how is a commercial Fan Page on Facebook different than a website?

Best,

[EGOL]

...it's perfectly acceptable to link and then attribute the image.

This is incorrect.  This is theft.

...it seems to be acceptable.

It is not acceptable.  Can cost you $150,000 and the copyright holder does not have to prove financial loss.

You better be careful.