Avatar photo ethics

[Tread]

Originally Posted by JodieTs

Is it ok to use a pic ?
?
What do you lot think?

That?s a difficult question.

If it?s noticeable a fan approval, like a porn star in a porn forum, I don?t think there is a big problem even without permission.

It becomes difficult where the boundary to identity theft is,
or an improper use begins. If being fan of someone or something (e.g. Mel Gibson/ Mel Gibson Movies) generates a bad connection to an e.g. racist behaviour (like Eric Cartman tries to annihilate the Jews, I like South Park), then the use would be problematic.

Legal aspects are difficult in the internet, because the copyright law and use of photos is not the same worldwide.
I know I took and changed my Avatar without permission, but I don?t make money with it or generate bad connection to the original owner (I think), so no one would complain about it.

But what can be found in the internet is not free to use everywhere.