downloading copyrighted images

Hello everyone, another newbie here (and not overly computer literate). Hoping you can help with some advice. When surfing the net, I've gone to save pictures and been greeted with a pop-up window with a (c) logo or a "please don't copy". I've checked the sites and often there is no mention of 'copying of images is prohibited and those doing so will be prosecuted', or some such disclaimer. Questions are, is it illegal to download these pics or just not recommended, and how can you tell which images are or are not copyrighted if it's not stated? Would the 'copyright police' or the friendly neighbourhood ISP come calling if one were to unknowingly or purposely download the pics?

 

you can download images so long as you don't use them commercially. Personal use is fine. That is fair use. if you see a copyright © symbol then there's your answer to if it's copyrighted or not. So, in otherwords, don't sweat it. Your ISP isn't going to come knocking on your door. Though it would be polite if you asked the owner of said pictures of you could use them for your desktops etc... but not necessary.

 

Usually all images that you see on the Internet are downloaded to your browser's temporary cache on your hard drive anyway. For example, you may view the contents of the Temporary Internet files that you store whilst browsing with Internet Explorer 6 by selecting the Internet Options (either via the Control Panel or via Tools/Options in Internet Explorer 6) then under the General tab you press Settings... within the Temporary Internet files section and then press View Files... in the following dialog.

If there are other users on your computer with their own accounts you can see their temporary internet files as well, usually stored in another location. However, the temporary internet files are cleared out by various means but there is nothing to stop you moving the file around your harddrive as it is already there, that is you already have made a copy.