copyright creative-commons public-domain
Can I use a picture commercially if I cannot get ahold of an owner?
<p>I found a picture on a website through Google Images but the website is just a webpage, a single page with two pictures, no contact information. The second picture doesn't relate at all to the first.</p>

<p>The name of the picture file had the words "CFB Media" in it. So I traced it back to a company called Campus Insiders. I am not sure if it really is theirs, but I emailed them in hopes they might recognize it.</p>

<p>If they don't recognize it as theirs, can I use it? I haven't been able to find it anywhere else besides that webpage with no information.</p>

<p>A quick note also, on Google Images there's a dropdown that lets you filter by license. x:</p>

<pre><code>Labeled for reuse with modification
Labeled for reuse
Labeled for noncommercial reuse with modification
Labeled for noncommercial reuse
</code></pre>

<p>After filtering, the picture looks to be under every single one of these options.</p>

<p>I've found Google's filtering based on licence to not be very reliable, at least not reliable enough to trust from a practical legal perspective.</p>

<p>Using a photo that you don't own the copyright to is a risk. You may be infringing copyright by doing so. The owner may eventually ask you to stop, or they may sue you for damages. Further, some copyright infringement is criminal <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/506" rel="nofollow">17 USC 506</a>.</p>

<p>In my opinion, it would be unwise to use a work commercially that you don't affirmatively know you have permission to use.</p>
