re: Copyright permissions

[Phil Harvey]

When you say, "yes," do you mean other metadata?  ...that Exiftool doesn't pick up?

No.  I mean that the image itself may be identified using an image search.

When you talk about "the image itself," do you mean literally, the visible image?

Yes.

When you say, "invisible watermarks," well... this is new to me.  Do you mean a 'digital' watermark or something else?

Yes.  Effectively a digital signature encrypted into the image data.

1) WHY is there even an image search engine if there is such a HIGH possibility that the majority of images are copyright protected and UNUSABLE?   Is it there just "for fun?!"

Use your imagination.

2) HOW are honest people supposed to know when an image (without a visible watermark) IS copyright protected and free to use?

Good question.  Do some googling around Wikipedia.  They have very well-defined conditions for using images in their web pages.  Their model is fairly comprehensive.

- Phil

Edit: Fixed typo

[bfs]

So basically, using the Exiftool as a "copyright violation prevention tool" isn't as all-encompassing as I thought/hoped.  Darn!

Thanks, Phil for all your replies.  I'm going to take my imagination over to Wikipedia now...

[Alan Clifford]

2) HOW are honest people supposed to know when an image (without a visible watermark) IS copyright protected and free to use?

Because the image is copyrighted by default.  If you don't know if you have the right to use the image then you don't have the right to use the image.  It is very simple.  Don't steal stuff. 

[StarGeek]

Because the image is copyrighted by default.  If you don't know if you have the right to use the image then you don't have the right to use the image.  It is very simple.  Don't steal stuff.

Though there are exceptions.  Images produced by the U.S. Government are in the public domain by default, I believe.

Nearly all images on Wikipedia are covered by at least some version of the Creative Commons Licence, with a few exceptions (see Wikipedia-Non free media).  Also check out Flickr's Creative Commons images.  While Creative Commons images are copyrighted, they are, depending on the actual license, free to be used for almost any purpose, though you often have to include attribution.

[bfs]

Thanks, StarGeek
(for the info, and not making assumptions )