As part of my latest four-week seminar series, I wrote a new overview book which summarized the 14 different major social networks and what each one was best for. It’s about 80 pages. I loaded it into Amazon yesterday.
Amazon wrote me back asking me for proof that I owned rights to the image in the lower area – the one with the colored dots.
I think this is GREAT that Amazon is finally asking those kinds of questions. For many years, unscrupulous people have stolen art from stock image sites for use in books, YouTube movies, and more. It’s a huge issue for artists. I am very glad that Amazon is taking that issue seriously.
If you use stock art or imagery in your works, make sure you document where each item was sourced from. Make sure you always have full rights to every piece you use.
For very visible pieces, like this piece I used on my cover, I’d even suggest giving that artist and source credit in your copyright page area. It’s not required by Pixabay – the source I used – but it’s a good practice to get into.
Here’s the image I used –
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hands-smartphone-social-media-1167618/
I gave the illustrator Geralt and Pixabay credit on my copyright page.
Here’s Pixabay’s page on ethical use of their artwork. It’s always good to understand the ‘rules’ when you use any artwork from any source.
https://pixabay.com/service/license-summary/
Ask with any questions!