If you’re a blogger who has used or still uses the reblog button to share other bloggers’ posts, I urge you to read this post.
Likewise, if you use photos or images in your own posts that are not your own or do not come from a genuine website that offers free images and photos, this post is a must-read.
Early 2021, during the lockdown, I had a nasty shock.
For me, the lockdown was terrific – I live in a farmhouse in the Scottish Highlands with gorgeous gardens, have a horse and a pack of rescue dogs, and for once, I could legitimately stay at home and not travel for work. This also allowed me to sit and write without feeling like I was short-changing some other part of my life.
What I had not expected, however, was to receive an email from a law firm accusing me of copyright infringement on a photograph I’d displayed on my blog back in my earliest blogging days, somewhere around 2013.
To add insult to injury, it wasn’t even a blog post I’d put together myself, but a collection of inspirational photos on a friend’s blog, which I’d reblogged!
I shared her post using the WordPress ‘Reblog’ button, and, as you may know, the post appears on your blog with a link to the original for anyone wanting to see more.
I had NO idea (this was quite early in my blogging career); this meant that ALL the photographs in that post were downloaded and stored in my own media library. The fact they were downloaded, even without my knowledge, became a potential legal problem.
If this happens to you, DO NOT ignore it.
The ‘Cease and Desist’ email came from an Italian law firm. Their client, the photographer, is based in the UK, as am I. It detailed the blog post and the specific photograph and demanded £1045.00 compensation for using the picture without obtaining a licence. This was justified as:
- £195 financial loss (£39 per year for the licence)
- £150 damages for flagrancy (putting the photographer at increased risk of having the photo stolen/used without obtaining a licence)
- £100 damages for negative financial consequences
- £150 for the absence of a picture credit
- £50 damages for moral prejudice
- £100 damages for consequential losses
- £100 damages for devaluing the image
- £200 lawyers’ fees
Scary, huh?
This was what I did:
- The first step was to check that the law firm existed, looking up their website and digging a little on Google. Sadly, for me, it was legit.
- Then I looked at the photographer’s site to find the photo. Yes, it was there, along with the price for an annual licence, as detailed in the legal letter.
- So, having established that I had indeed violated copyright, although unwittingly, I checked my own post. As a reblog, I could only see the first picture, which wasn’t the one in dispute. I replied to the lawyer, asking for a screenshot of the image displayed on my site. To my shock, an image of the entire post came back, with all the photos in evidence displayed on my blog. I still don’t know how this is possible, but I couldn’t argue because they had the screenshot.
- I removed the post from my site and also delved into my media library, which is when I discovered to my shock, that all the pictures from the post were stored there. I deleted them all, just in case.
- I contacted the original blogger and advised her to delete it, which she did. The last thing I wanted was for them to go after her, too.
- The next step was to contact the lawyer again and point out I was not the original poster, explaining it was a reblog of someone else’s post.
- They replied that while they would consider this, I was still held responsible because the image had been displayed on my site. They dropped the proposed settlement to £800 and gave me 10 days to pay up.
- I contacted another lawyer for advice. Her answer was: ‘If you did not download it and post it on your site, then you did not copy it. I would argue that re-posting or embedding is not copying because the image is hosted elsewhere and therefore cannot be copyright infringement.’ Note that last bit? Unfortunately, the way WordPress works, the photo had been downloaded and hosted on my own site, even though I hadn’t known it, so this didn’t help me.
- I went back to the Italian lawyer and again stressed that I was not the person who had chosen to use the image. I felt they were being unfair coming after me and not the original poster (which is why I’d given her the heads-up first and ensured she’d removed all traces from her site before typing this message).
- By now, this had gone on for 6 weeks, with me leaving it almost to the stipulated 10-day deadline when I replied to the lawyer. I never once refused to pay them, but I did not offer to do so or haggle about the sum. I spent more time researching potential help from legal groups, but…
- Nearly a year on, and I’ve not heard from them again! This sounds fairly simple, but it was a time-consuming and stressful experience.
I understand from years ago, mainly when posting paper letters, that sometimes the answer to such events is to continue corresponding. Never offer anything, but keep querying small details and spread them out as long as possible. If nothing else, you may get a reduction (as I did) in the sum they demand.
I was lucky; I know others who have had to pay up. In this case, they apparently wrote me off as too much bother to pursue.
If you should be unfortunate enough to have this happen to you, the most important things are:
- Don’t ignore it – it has the potential to be very expensive.
- Don’t pay up straight away – always investigate your options.
Deborah Jay writes fantasy and urban fantasy featuring complex, quirky characters and multi-layered plots – just what she likes to read.
Fortunate enough to live not far from Loch Ness in the majestic, mystery-filled Scottish Highlands with her partner and a pack of rescue dogs, she can often be found lurking in secluded glens and forests, researching locations for her books.
Her first published novel, epic fantasy THE PRINCE’S MAN, won a UK Arts Council award and debuted as an Amazon Hot 100 New Release.
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Important Reminders About Reblogging from Hugh
Reblogging saves many bloggers time. It’s quick to do and can result in more visits and comments to the reblogged post.
It’s also a safe option, but only when used correctly. Here are several points to consider and note if you intend to reblog another blogger’s post or have ever reblogged another blogger’s post.
- If you reblog or have reblogged the blog posts of other bloggers, any images, videos or photos in those posts will have been downloaded into your WordPress media library. You could, therefore, have downloaded illegal images or photos and images that are copyrighted.
- Check the small print – Some photos, images, and pictures may have a limited time that they’re free to use. After that, you could face a fine if they remain on your blog or in your media library.
- Consider other options for sharing blog posts where images and photos are not downloaded to your blog. The ‘Press This’ sharing button is a good option, as no images and photos are downloaded to your media library.
- Another option instead of reblogging is to write and publish a post that includes pingback links to blog posts you want to share. Blogger Sally Cronin does this with her ‘Blogger Weekly’ feature.
- If you run a blogging challenge where you reblog posts from participants, consider adding links to those posts in your blog post or in a new blog post rather than reblogging them. Blogger Terri Webster Schrandt does this in her Sunday Stills photography challenge.
- If you’re unsure that any content in a blog post you want to share is not free to download or use, don’t reblog the post.
- Don’t think that what happened to Deborah won’t happen to you. It can!
- If you believe you may have reblogged posts that have images or photos that are copyrighted or not free to download and use, delete the posts immediately.
- After deleting posts, remember to remove any images and photos that appeared on the reblog from your WordPress media library, as deleting the post does not delete them.
- Remember that copyright laws can also apply to lyrics, artwork, drawings and text.
WordPress offers users hundreds of free images and photos.
If you’re not convinced by Deborah’s experience of copyright infringement, then read Debby Kaye’s post here about a copyright experience she had where she was fined for reblogging a post that contained an image that was copyright protected.
If you have any questions about Deborah’s experience or about reblogging, leave them in the comments section. Deborah and I will try and answer them, although we cannot offer any legal advice.
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Not sure it’s free? Then don’t reblog, copy or download it.
I thank Deborah for sharing her true story about the perils of reblogging with us and for allowing me to publish it on my blog.
Do you have any experience of being fined for copyright infringement?
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Definitely a horror story! That someone would come back nearly 7 years later to cry copyright infringement is a nightmare.
Way back in the annals of time, probably around the time when Deborah reblogged the post in 2013-2014, there was a serious issue with the newly reintroduced reblog feature that we forum volunteers brought to the attention of WordPress.com support in the forums. At that time, not just the featured post image, but all the images in the reblogged post ended up in the reblogger’s media library. However, it does sound strange that *all* the images ended up in her publicly reblogged post as well. First time I’ve heard of that happening. Regardless, this issue was resolved by WordPress.com a couple of months after that and, thankfully, this is not the case today.
Having said that, when someone reblogs a post, along with the 55-word excerpt, there is a link back to the original post and if you choose to use that person’s featured image as a part of your post, it might fall within “fair use” rules, though it is wise to check with the person who originally posted the image. You can also replace the featured image of a reblog with one of your own. If the image is Copyright 0, like in the Pexels Library we have available to us, or in the public domain, then they should be OK to use. I am not a lawyer and that was not legal advice. ☺
Jen, thank you so much for your comment.
I’ve spoken with one of the Happiness Engineers this morning. They have confirmed what you said about images and photos no longer being downloaded to the media library when reblogging a post. However, they could not tell me exactly when the change took place, so I guess there will still be bloggers out there with images and photos from reblogs that could be copyrighted.
They also told me that when a post is reblogged, it shows up with a link back to the blog it came from, the reblogger’s commentary is highlighted, and an excerpt of the post’s text and media. I asked about the media bit and if that meant that any images or photos in the excerpt of the post you’re reblogging still ends up on your blog and your media library. They weren’t sure, so they will run some tests and come back to me.
After reading your comment and speaking with WordPress, I’ve updated some of my points about reblogging in this post. Personally, I wouldn’t use any images or photos as a featured image from a post I’ve reblogged. I think it safer to use my own images or those that WordPress (or other websites such as Pixabay) offer for free use.
Thanks again for your comment and advice.
You’re welcome, Hugh. Hopefully the Happiness Engineer you chatted with will come back with their test results. As you noted, there are several ways one can reblog a WordPress.com post and not only directly from a person’s website, if they allow it, but also from the “Press This” share button or applet, from within the Reader and from the WP mobile app. Each functions a little differently. Maybe one day our “allow reblog” or “not allow reblog” setting will be honored across the board. We can hope.
Hi, Jen,
It seems that the information I was given this morning by the Happiness Engineer was not correct.
The Happiness Engineer I spoke with came back to me via email and told me that the information they gave me was incorrect and that any images, videos or photos in a post I reblog, are still downloaded into my media library. I went back to them and queried and have received another reply from another Happiness Engineer confirming that everything is downloaded. I’m attaching a screenshot of their email (you may need to magnify it to read it).
So, for now, I’m taking it that everything is still downloaded, so I’m not recommending that anybody uses the reblog button unless they’re absolutely confident that the content they’re sharing is free to share.
Unfortunately, I don’t use the reblog button, so I’m not able to test what WordPress has told me is correct. I think it best, in these circumstances, that I leave the post as it was, so I have updated the changes I made earlier today.
If by any chance you speak with one of the Happiness Engineers, can you ask the question about images, videos and photos on reblogged posts being downloaded into the media library of the user doing the reblog?
Curiouser and curiouser. If that is the case today, it’s a HUGE step backwards. If and when I have the time, I will test this on my own site and post an update. Thanks for pursuing this with the HE’s and for sharing their correspondence.
You’re welcome, Jen. Yes, it seems a big step backwards, doesn’t it?
I wonder if it has anything to do with the introduction of the Block editor? I only say that because I’m aware of at last one other major problem since the introduction of the Block editor (which, by the way, I absolutely love using). Would you mind keeping me updated if you hear anything?
Yes, of course I will update you. Right now, this behavior seems specific to the Reblog Button itself.
Thanks for doing the research, Hugh. After this experience I went back and deleted a load of material from both my blog and my media library, so I wouldn’t get caught out again, but it’s very comforting to hear that WordPress has changed what the reblog button does to make it safer.
Alas, Deborah, it seems that the WordPress Happiness Engineer I spoke with this morning, gave me incorrect information. She has apologised, but I did get a second opinion from another Engineer who has also confirmed that if you reblog a post, any images, videos and photos from the post you are reblogging are still downloaded to your media library. So you’ve done right by going through your media library and deleting images you were not sure about.
Of course, if anything changes, I’ll let you know. But, in the meantime, only use the reblog button if you’re absolutely sure that the content you share is absolutely free to share and download.
How disappointing, but thanks for getting the clarification for all of us.
Thank you, Hugh, for sharing Deborah’s experience and post. That can happen to so many of us. We really have to take good care and take this matter serious.
We do, Erika. It’s one of the reasons why I now only use my photos and images unless they’ve been provided to me by a guest blogger. If I were not sure about copyright images, I’d ask first.
It is so true. I need to think about it. It is more work… but worth it to prevent problems.
Absolutely. I’ve come across many bloggers who think ‘it won’t happen to me,’ but as both Deborah and Debby have confirmed, it can happen to anyone of us who mistakenly may have downloaded an image or photo that is copyrighted – even if it was done years ago (as in Deborah’s case).
I do appreciate your efforts to share such information, Hugh. It is important!
This happened to me once too. I’d downloaded a picture from an alleged free site. Sadly it wasn’t and I was contacted by the picture creator. I paid up, but it was a modest sum, only about five pounds if I remember rightly. I was embarrassed though and took the picture down anyway. I added a bit to my about page about pictures and if one turns out not to be royalty free then to let me know.
I’m sorry to hear it has happened to you.
Do you remember the name of the site you downloaded the image from?
Sadly no, I always did searches via creative commons and it came up that way, that’s why it had been such a shock because back then it was meant to show only royalty free images.
I recommend using the WordPress free media library for free images or photos. They’ll always be free and don’t come with any nasty small print such as ‘only free for a limited time.’
Yes, I do use them now :) ty
Scary! Isn’t the “reblog” button an option? If you don’t want people rebloging your post, shouldn’t you just turn off that option?
Yes, it is an option. Unfortunately, removing it doesn’t always stop other people from stealing your work. Plus, although you may remove the reblog button from the posts on your blog, it still appears next to your posts on the WordPress Reader.
Thanks for the heads up! That does sound scary. Out of curiosity, what happens when you never reply to such email and delete the post?
I’m guessing that because they screenshots and evidence, they will still pursue you, so best to continue to communicate with them, otherwise, you could get yourself into even more trouble. Some companies may pass on the fine to bailiffs, who in turn would increase the fine and might turn up at your front door. Then again, other companies may stop trying to recover the fine. Personally, I wouldn’t chance it.
It’s not worth the risk. They still have the screenshots to prove you did it, and a solicitor is most likely then to escalate this to a debt collection agency, who will add costs and interest on top, meaning it could become very expensive and you don’t have a legal leg to stand on if it goes to court.
Wow! I’ve read about this issue before. I don’t reblog often but I will be more observant in the future. I know of other bloggers who have had similar issues. It’s not pretty! Thanks Hugh for sharing this information. <3
It seems to be more widespread than I thought, Colleen. However, I’ve been speaking with WordPress this morning, and it seems some reblog functions have now changed. I’ll be updating my post.
Ooh, I look forward to reading that one – it’s such a simple button to use.
I’ve just updated the post with the details, Debby (they’re all in the ‘Important Reminders About Reblogging from Hugh’ bit). However, I’m waiting for WordPress to confirm one final detail about any photos or images that appear in the excerpt of a post we want to reblog. It seems WordPress has now made the reblog option a much safer option than it used to be. I’ll drop you an email about the details.
Please reshare it. I would like to know more about this subject. Thanks for all these great posts, Hugh. I learn so much from you. <3
Alas, Colleen, it seems I was given incorrect information by one of the WordPress Happiness Engineers yesterday. So the reblog button acts the same as it did when we first started blogging in that all images, videos and photos in a post you reblog are downloaded into your WordPress media library. So, be careful if you reblog. Far better using Press This or creating a pingback to a post you want to share.
Thanks so much, Hugh. I’ll definitely be careful. ❤️
It’s come as a genuine shock to hear about Deborah’s experience. Thanks to both of you for this valuable lesson on how to deal with it if it happens to you and how not to find yourself in that situation in the first place.
Deborah’s copyright infringement experience acts as a great reminder to all who have a blog or website. I’m sure Deborah’s post will help many who read it.
I’m happy that my experience can help others avoid the same trap – though I would much rather not have had to go through it in the first place!
In my early days of writing and blogging, I included a quote from an official group – without any accreditation. I had a warning, apologised, removed the quote. It gave me quite a scare – especially as that very week, I’d heard from a writing friend who had fallen into the same trap as Deborah. It’s made me so wary. And now I’m going to check again. Thank you, both. Oh, and Hugh, thanks for the mention of PhotoBulk – I need to watermark David’s photos. x
I’m sorry to hear you and a writing friend have had similar experiences with copyright infringement, Judith. It’s yet another reason why I delete old blog posts and their images from my WordPress media library. Plus, it frees up some media space.
Do check out PhotoBulk. I use the free version, which is great for watermarking my own photos I use on my blog. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about using it.
Reblogged this on Judith Barrow and commented:
A cautionary tale ( unfortunately true) from Deborah Jay, on Hugh’s site. Reblogger’s beware!
Oh! My how scary !
Indeed. Something to think about when tempted to reblog.
Very much so 🥺
That’s quite scary! I hardly ever reblog but wouldn’t have given copyright a thought! I’ll definitely keep this in mind. Thanks for the heads up.
I don’t think many bloggers think about copyright infringement when they press the reblog button, Cathy. Far better using ‘Press This’ or a pingback to the post.
What are the implications of re-sharing a post to your social media as a resource for instance? Thanks for sharing this headsup and stressful experience with us at The Senior Salon Pit Stop
Julie Syl – Pit Stop Crew
When you share a post on social media, all you’re doing is sharing a link to an article (similar to when you share a pingback in a blog post). You’re not actually downloading any images or photos onto your computer, so what happened to Deborah would not have happened if all she had done was share the post on social media and not reblog the post on her blog.
I hope that helps?
So if I was to retweet this blog article, could I be guilty of infringing copyright law if you had included a copyrighted picture? Or am I solely offering others a link to your blog article and therefore ok?
Scary article! Thanks.
Not for retweeting it on Twitter, no, because you’re not downloading any copyrighted material when sharing on social media. So you’re safe to share on Twitter, as all you’re doing is providing a link to an article.
If you reblogged a post containing a copyrighted image, then you’d be downloading that image into your WordPress media library. That’s where the scary stuff could then happen.
I hope that helps?
Hugh, Thanks for a Monday morning scare. I don’t use Reblog for this very reason and occasionally use “free” photos, but I completely forgot that “free” doesn’t always mean “always.” A new project, review, eliminate and watermark my photos. What software are you using to watermark your photos and the value of your copywriter designation on each blog?
Hi Danny, you’re right. Free does not always mean free. Sometimes, images can be free for a limited time before a charge kicks in, so it’s always best to check the small print or (I recommend) use your own images. However, WordPress offers genuine free images and photos to users that will always be free to use, as does the website Pixabay.
I use an App called PhotoBulk to watermark all my photos. I use the free version, which is excellent for what I want to do. If you press the Disclaimer and GDPR button on the menu of my blog, you’ll see copyright and disclaimer information that I obtained for free and which you’re free to use.
I hope that helps?
Thank you for the information +95% of the photos I use are mine. I have used some of historic nature. I ran them through tineye but as mentioned free and clear today doesn’t mean the same for tomorrow. Time for revisions. Have a good day and keep up the good work
Really helpful to me too, Hugh, thank you!
Very useful post thanks Deborah and Hugh… there may also be some leeway with this kind of demand if your blog is not monetised and you have credited the originator but it is very difficult when images are shared so prolifically on across social media as well as blogs. Thanks for the mention and it is one of the reasons I do this now rather than reblogs. And on that note will include in next Sunday’s blogger weekly… have a good week.. hugsx
Hi Sally, from what I know, social media seems to escape many copyright restrictions. I guess it’s so quick, and posts and tweets get buried quickly. However, you do have to be very careful what you say on Social Media because people can still sue for slander, etc.
Even if you credit the originator, I’m not sure anyone can still use photos and images that are copyrighted unless they pay to do so. The best option is to stay well clear of using any photos or images that do not come from genuine, well-known websites such as Pixabay, which offer free images.
Personally, I only use my own images and photos now, unless they’ve been given to me by a guest to use on their guest post. I stopped reblogging posts years ago, preferring instead ‘Press This’ where only a link to the post is copied.
Thanks so much for the upcoming share.
I use Pixabay and a couple of other sites too and as you say the safer option.
Some images are available for free provided you credit the originator, but it will say so if that’s the case.
I have also contacted a few photographers to ask if I may use specific pictures provided I credit them, and so far they’ve all said yes, even the pros, but I’m talking about pictures that were taken in the first place to illustrate specific articles, not ones in a photographer’s general catalogue.
Wow, what a terrible thing to happen to Debroah, Hugh. Thanks for pinging back to mine as a helpful caution to other bloggers. I’m not in the habit of reblogging for many of the reasons you stated, including the re-blogged post’s media being uploaded into our media files. When I have shared, I create my own image, then delete the media (or post) a few weeks later. I also remember one of your stories being hijacked onto another blog a while back? Every once in a while, someone reblogs one of my SS posts and it looks like they’re trying to pass it off as their own. It’s odd, I think some themes make it look that way. A great, sad but true lesson in the publication world. But what a stressful mess for Deborah. My heart clenched as I read the article! To me these land in the frivolous lawsuit category but they can be devastating and expensive for the novice blogger. Well done sharing this, Hugh, and again for helping the blogging world use the internet wisely.
Hi Terri, yes, some of my content has been stolen and used on other blogs. You may recall that you alerted me to someone who copied and used one of my Sunday Still posts but left the pingback in it, so it alerted you. You warned me and, with WordPress, I was able to get their post taken down. They only changed the copyright details at the end of my post. They even used the copyrighted photos I’d used in the post with my watermark on them!
Deborah’s story is horrible and has caused her a lot of stress. I only hope that the bloggers who have told me – ‘it’ll never happen to me,’ read this post and take action. Reblogging is very time-saving, but the pitfalls can cause a lot of damage.
Thank you so much for sharing this information. I wanted to ask that If I don’t have a monetized blog so is there a chance to get copyrighted? Just a question 😅
You should do all you can to protect your content on your blog, including watermarking any photos that are yours. It’s why I copyright all my posts at the very end of all my posts. I also watermark any images and pictures that are mine. If you don’t do this, anyone can use your content. Unfortunately, it won’t stop everyone, but it will put off the majority of those looking to misuse content that belongs to other writers and writers.
Does that help, Rabhya?
Yes it definitely helps! But for example, I use an image from the internet for the blog post, so are there chances of getting copyrighted considering its not an monetized blog??
Yes, even if your blog is not monetized, there is a chance. Don’t use any images from the internet unless they are on a genuine, well-known, free image site such as Pixabay. I’d recommend you remove those images straight away and ensure you also remove them from your WordPress media library.
Thank you so much for guiding Hugh, means a lot 😊
I understood now, a last question, if I have taken a image from the internet and have mentioned the source so am I safe then?
Only if the image is free to use and will always remain free to use. Unfortunately, a lot of this information can only be found in the small print. If you’re not sure, I’d recommend removing the image and using your own images or images and photos from the free library WordPress offers its users.
Oh I see. Thank you so much for sharing this great information means a lot
Thanks for the information!
You’re welcome. Your comment went straight to my WordPress spam folder. Not sure why, but it may be worth checking that other comments you’re leaving on other blogs are not doing the same.
Thank you I will do that!
Very informative. Useful information one dosen’t often think of. Thanks|!
I don’t think many bloggers think about copyright infringement when pressing the reblog button because it’s quick and easy to do. However, as we learned from Deborah (and Debby Kay if you read her post), it can happen to all of us. So think twice before reblogging, especially if you’re not sure if any images in the post are free to use.
It was certainly a shock to me!
Yikes! Thanks for sharing this!
You’re welcome, Susanne.