How would you interpret this copyright law?

Was reading the US Copyright Office's website and this stuck out:

http://www.copyright.g​ov/help/faq/faq-fairuse.html

Is this a direct sale of the photo or can it be interpreted as any for-profit companies using for their advertisement, brochure, products on a website, etc?

Aki78 wrote in post #16608083
Was reading the US Copyright Office's website and this stuck out:

http://www.copyright.g​ov/help/faq/faq-fairuse.html

Is this a direct sale of the photo or can it be interpreted as any for-profit companies using for their advertisement, brochure, products on a website, etc?

To rise to the level of criminal, from a practical perspective, you would likely have to have a violator continuing to use copyrighted materials after being notified, and probably be producing a physical product for sale. The FBI is unlikely to interfere with a single stolen image being used in a brochure or website.

Ya I was wondering about the bolded part but didn't know it could possibly start an investigation.

Aki78 wrote in post #16608127
Ya I was wondering about the bolded part but didn't know it could possibly start an investigation.

You can certainly complain about any concern to the local US Attorney for your district. They have to balance the use of resources for the public good so what would constitute an actionable offense would vary from district to district. Ripping off an image to make tee shirts might trigger an investigation in Iowa, and get you laughed out of the office in New York city.

May is the key word there.

Think NCAA or Disney.

Yes, if you're big enough of an operation or infringing on one of the big boys, the likelihood of the Feds being involved increases substantially.

I will say that when it hits the news they don't use words like copyright infringement, they say things like dealing in counterfeit goods.

Agree with Fernando. Criminal investigations would be for counterfeiters importing box loads of infringing fakes or websites hosting huge amounts of infringing material (think Megaupload).

this is a specific legal question and I would suggest asking consulting an Attorney who specializes in copyright law. for free background information I would suggest reading one or both of these 'Blogs"

1) http://thecopyrightzon​e.com/

2) http://www.photoattorn​ey.com/

There are possible other blogs and or online information sources I am not aware of.

Dan Marchant wrote in post #16609247
Agree with Fernando. Criminal investigations would be for counterfeiters importing box loads of infringing fakes or websites hosting huge amounts of infringing material (think Megaupload).

Oh, then my cat photos aren't a priority for them.

I would interpret that to mean knowingly and pre-meditated theft. In which case, theft is criminal. It's like stealing an item from a store, then taking it to the local pawn shop to sell it.