Why Use Of Unlicensed Online Images May Constitute
Copyright Infringement.
All original images and photographs attract copyright
automatically. No registration or copyright notice is required for
copyright to exist.
Owning the copyright in an image means that the creator or
photographer holds the exclusive right to reproduce
("copy"), adapt ("modify") and publish that
image or photograph. If a third party copies or modifies another
person's image or photograph, on for example its website or
blog, or in any way distributes, without the consent of the owner
of the copyright, copyright infringement occurs.
The owner of the copyright in the image or photo which has been
reproduced or adapted by a third party, without the owner's
consent, is entitled to compensation for the unauthorised use of
their artistic work. This includes, the right to seek an interdict,
damages (including penalty damages), costs and delivery up in
respect of any infringing works under the
