Uploading textures from the internet

I found some very nice images at a website that sell rugs. I have an image for use as a texture here in SL. I created a furniture set that is color-coordinated with the rug. It is lovely and the rug ties the whole "look" together. I had hoped to sell the furniture set with the rug as a packaged set.

But, when I was showing a friend the collection she asked if I planned on selling the rug also. When I indicated that I was my intent to sell the rug with the furniture, she said that "it could be a problem".

I was proud of the furniture/rug set but I figured she was right. I don't own the rights to the image. So, I decided to browse on the website and visit the online store of a large SL texture merchant. I was looking for a nice full perm rug texture that I could use instead of the texture that was uploaded from the internet.

I haven't found the perfect full perm texture yet but what I did find, in many SL texture stores, were rug textures that are also found on the very same website that the texture that I really liked is found. I have also found prim rugs using textures downloaded from the internet rug stores for sale at many stores in SL.

So, now I am confused as to what I can and cannot do with images from the internet. Is there some secret work around that I'm not privy to?

It is a legal issue, and a personal ethical question.

legal: The owner of the image has rights, which include the right to tell you not to use it. If they tell you not to, and you persist, they can sue you. If you are hurting them in some way by violating their rights, they will win.

ethical: You could decide not to use images without permission, or you could decide to use them anyway and take your chances.

Fair Use: There is also a provision in the law that allows you to use stuff without permission for certain purposes, which include study, criticism, and satire.

Search these forums for ten thousand other posts on this topic.

actually seeing as this place you went to is actually selling their copyrighted material you should notify the owners of the website on this matter because that store is obviously stealing their photos knowing they are violating a copyright. you on the other hand did not know till it was to late so your pretty much safe. however i would advise going to a website image repository like
that place is totally free for anyone to use their textures.

this is another area i found awhile ago that hosts glorious free images you can make textures for.



this is quoted directly from the site
"Free textures for personal and commercial use "

How about just learning to make your own images instead of relying on those made by other people? It's a lot easier to make a convincing rug texture than you might think.