Was thinking of adding an avatar (random image I like off a search) and got to wondering this.
I think it’s fine if you’re not claiming it is yours. And most people assume that any generic/immediately recognizable avatar is just an image off the internet that the user just likes.
Though there’s maybe a weird grey area where if you use artwork from someone that isn’t like… a super established artist (hard line to draw) it’s kind of iffy. I wouldn’t feel right using someone’s drawing off Instagram. But plenty of people use anime avatars from manga etc. and I don’t see an issue.
Not the most important topic in the world but I thought it was fun to think about.
It’s almost certainly “fair use”, in terms of the American copyright, as what you use as an avatar has absolutely no market impact on the original work.
Ethically speaking I don’t see a problem with it unless you try to pass it off as your own work, do it against the wishes or the original creator, represent that work in a bad light, etc.
Copyright is theft from the public domain. Go and be free, emo spiderman
Copyright is theft from the public domain.
You’re not actually entitled to the things that other people make, or the time, money, labor and mental energy that they use to make them.
At any rate, this would certainly fall under fair use in most circumstances.
It wouldn’t be fair use at all.
Fair use bud
Doubtful.
