RE: copyrighted images

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[b][quote]Is there anyway to know who orginally took that picture?[/quote][/b]

Simple answer - NO -  However there are (possably many) people that DO KNOW -  the person who took the picture and more than likely the person(s) and or company(ies) that paid for it to be done and more than likely any one who paid or agreed to a licence to use that, from the above mentioned, orginal or proper owners.

If they find people not using the pictures (in ANY FORM) according to there wishes (ie: Copywrite violations or against licence agreement) - they can sue.  End of story.

Most DVD/MOVIE pics out there used in PROMOTIONS are all copywriten and have a very liberal licence (nearlly anyone can use them).

All Pictures every ware are COPYWRITEN - many are just "free to use" many other have limited use conditions and MOST are licened in some form or other (weather free or paid or other form of payment...). 

I am not a lawyer - so value accordinly.

I have paid and seen payment for the right/licence to use a single picture in the range of free to a few dollars to up to $1000.  Even "public archives" - you have to pay a (minor) fee to use a "copy".

One on my closest relitives have a good friend (whom I have met a few years back) and his brother that have "sold" several differnet licences/rights to use one of there pictures for several tens of thousands and some even in the hundreds of thousands of dollars (to of all places - US Postal Service).

If you pull some FREE graphics off the web to use - make sure you print a copy of the graphic with the date clearly shown and a copy of there LICENCE for you to use.  Make sure your using it as stated in the licence.  Some times they say - FREE for personal or non-profit or educational use only - not for commecial sites....

Always secure your RIGHT to use a certain PICTURE though a licence or agreement.  Even getting a statement as stated above from who supplied the graphics will greatly help if anyone starts to question any copywrite.