Please help with blog!!

[kmarketing]

Hi,

I wanted to start a new blog but had some questions and am having a hard time finding answers. Hopefully you can help:

1. Am I allowed to use links in my blog that when clicked will lead the reader to the original site? Can I mask the link with a title or sentence instead of the actual link?

2. Am I allowed to use the logo/brand of a particular site or company as a re-direct to them. For example, if I use the logo for Burger King so that the reader can click on the logo to be redirected to Burger King's site?

3. If I wanted to use images, charts, etc from other sites or scan them from magazines, do I need special permission or can I use them as long as I cite that the original authors, publishers, etc?

I apologize if these questions seem ridiculous, I really am new to this and am trying learn the legalities of things, but am having a hard time getting this information.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!!

 

[tyr2]

1. Am I allowed to use links in my blog that when clicked will lead the reader to the original site? Can I mask the link with a title or sentence instead of the actual link?

Yes you can put whatever you like at the text for the link. Not sure what you mean by 'original site', if you got the link from another blog it's polite to indicate that was the case, whether you link thru that blog or not is up to you really, tho I expect the other blog would prefer you did

2. Am I allowed to use the logo/brand of a particular site or company as a re-direct to them. For example, if I use the logo for Burger King so that the reader can click on the logo to be redirected to Burger King's site?

Generally you'll need to see the T&C's for the site you're linking to, they may provide 'approved' logos to use for links, or require you to sign up to some sort of affiliates program, or just not let you at all. Most of the time they're probably not going to care all that much tho as long as you're not being derogatative to their brand

3. If I wanted to use images, charts, etc from other sites or scan them from magazines, do I need special permission or can I use them as long as I cite that the original authors, publishers, etc?

Tricky, I'm not particularly clear on this one myself. I believe most of the time you'll need permission, however I it depends on what you're using them for (education, review writing, etc..). You best bet is to try and find content licensed under creative commons which will have a clear license as to what is permitted attached.

 

[kmarketing]

Hi,

Thanks so much for the great info, and so quickly as well!

For quest 1. Let's say I wanted to talk about Apple computers, and where it says apple I would want to link it to apple.com. Or if I wrote, "Macs are the best" it would lead to the source (site or page) that makes the statement. I think blogs may be friendlier, but I was wondering about the larger sites, for ex. apple.com. I hope I didn't confuse you more!!

For quest 2. What's T&C? I definitely won't be putting anyone down. For the usages of logos, let's say I created a computer page, and someone clicks on that computer page, they may see various logos representing their companies. Clicking on the logo leads them to the homepage of that company. I just thought the actual logo/brand would be more visually appealing to the reader. I guess its also advertisment for the companies.

For quest 3. I plan to a informative and educational blog, so that would be what the charts etc would be for. Does that make a difference? Or for a chart, could I make my own with that info and then cite the original authors?

I guess I'm used to citing other's work in research papers and such, but i'm pretty new and inexperienced with this webworld.

Thanks so much!!

 

[tyr2]

For quest 1. Let's say I wanted to talk about Apple computers, and where it says apple I would want to link it to apple.com. Or if I wrote, "Macs are the best" it would lead to the source (site or page) that makes the statement. I think blogs may be friendlier, but I was wondering about the larger sites, for ex. apple.com. I hope I didn't confuse you more!!

That's fine.

For quest 2. What's T&C? I definitely won't be putting anyone down. For the usages of logos, let's say I created a computer page, and someone clicks on that computer page, they may see various logos representing their companies. Clicking on the logo leads them to the homepage of that company. I just thought the actual logo/brand would be more visually appealing to the reader. I guess its also advertisment for the companies.

T&C's aka, 'Terms and Conditions'. You'll usually find a link on the front page of every major site, it's a long read but search for 'logo' or 'image' and see what it says. Generally tho they're not going to care, as you say it's advertisment for them.

For quest 3. I plan to a informative and educational blog, so that would be what the charts etc would be for. Does that make a difference? Or for a chart, could I make my own with that info and then cite the original authors?

Sorry by educational I meant for use in schools and the like. To be honest I don't know enough about this to not risk giving you the wrong info, so I'll have to pass.

Thanks so much!!

No problem.

(edit: fixed quoting)

 

[kmarketing]

Hi,

Thanks for your insight!

I also posted this in another forum so maybe can get some more opinions and suggestions.

I intend to use the blog with adsense and other possible income generating tools. The blog will be educational and informative in nature (hopefully) and I envision it to be positive. I am hoping and can envision some traffic to the site, so would that constitute it being commercial? Does that change things?

I look at a site like techcrunch.com where they use many logos as their visual cues. Do they have to get permission for each of those logos?

Thanks so much!

 

[MacBoobsPro]

Links you should be fine with as they will be directed to their website so you are doing them a favor. Some however have strict usage rules on how their logo should appear etc but I dont think it will be a big deal for you.

Regarding pics, charts and text etc if you just credit the author you will be fine.