Recently Facebook launched a section called Resources that will assist page Admins in managing their pages. It can be accessed by going to Edit Page and the selecting the Resource Tab.
The last link under Additional Resources is called Brand Permissions.
One of the visitors to my fan page pointed out that there is a Screenshots section in Facebook’s Brand Permissions that requires written permission before using any Facebook screenshots.
I was not aware of this requirement and have been using screenshots in my Facebook posts for a LONG time. Did you know about this?
I’ve submitted my request to use screenshots as I don’t want to get on the wrong side of the Facebook overloads. The response said that my inquiry could take 1-2 weeks. I hope it doesn’t take that long – as you can see I didn’t include any Facebook screenshots in this post.
photo credit: billsophoto
Hi Kim, I think this is pretty standard these days, whether explicityly written in TCs or not. Since most screenshots contain copyright logos/designs etc I think they are covered by same copyright laws as photography of branded objects, brochures, posters, buildings etc. Although saying that, it’s pretty much my common sense assumption which probably means it hasnt been put into legal writing yet as red tape seems to be so far behind with the internet. Will be interesting to see what they write back to you.
Hi Angela – I know. But almost all of the screenshots I’ve used are of my own content. They use my data to generate revenue so I don’t know why I can’t take screenshots of my own data for educational purposes that help people use FB’s site …
Kim,
I wasn’t aware of this and I am sure we’re not the only one. Does it say what happens if you’re not approved and use them. I am sure there thousands of screen shots on the net without approval. That being said I better work on getting approved too! Thank you for sharing :)
Hi Lynda,
I don’t think much would happen without approval unless FB was going after a specific site. They could then use their brand permissions policy to back them up legally.
Hi Kim, It does seem logical that you need permission but so many of the permissions are hard to get and you don’t know where to find the place to ask. As a blogger, I don’t want my posts showing up in entirety ever someplace else but I never mind a link. Copyright laws protect you but they also create issues that might make you lose ground in this fast-paced day of sharing on social media. We want people to share our things… but we don’t want them to steal them – photos, music, blog posts, or screenshots. Tough line to keep straight I think!
Hi Julie – I agree. The issue I have with Facebook is that I am primarily using screenshots of my own work and data for educational purposes. I’m not using other people’s content or Facebook’s in order to make money. I think there should be fair use for educational purposes.
If you’re using your own stuff or other stuff that is Creative Commons-licensed for you to use, where’s the problem? It’s silly you’re contacting Facebook, frankly. Put the onus on them for proving you’re in the wrong.
Hi Ari – It isn’t Creative Commons licensed and Facebook specifically requires permission. I don’t really think anything would happen but they would have their brand permissions site to back them up if they decided to pursue something. I don’t agree with their policy but they have implemented it.
Thank you for addressing this again. I have been too timid to request permission. Maybe if they give it to you without much hassle that will give me the courage to try too.
On another note, after I mentioned it to you on Fb I went looking for more info. Google allows screen shot for “instructive or illustrative” purposes without their permission. It seems that such a thing would be common sense. Letting bloggers use screen shots to instruct users (theirs) how to navigate their site would seem to be free advertising.
Hi Arwen – I think google’s policy makes sense – there should be fair use for instructional purposes. We wouldn’t need to write about Facebook and include screenshots if their site was easier to use.
Kim,
Have you heard back from Facebook yet? Just wondering if its worth it to fill out the request form.
Thanks :)
Hi Arwen – Yes, I did. They didn’t give me approval for the screenshots I submitted and didn’t provide a reason why – it was just a form email. I need to follow up on this because I think there may have been an issue with my submission but haven’t done so yet. I have to say that it made me really negative about Facebook for a bit but I then decided in the scheme of things Facebook is a minor problem.
Great points Julie
OK sorry, but am I the only one seeing “facebook demanding permission” as laughable in itself??
Hi Dennis – They use everyone’s data to generate revenue but we aren’t supposed to use their data for educational reasons ;-)
I just see the largest irony I think I’ve ever seen, Kim.
I know …
I was not aware that facebook had such an item in the T&Cs but had a good laugh at it. Facebook demanding permission – I think this has got be the joke of the year. It is as ludicrous as it is satirical.
Hi Amanda – I would really like to see an example of theme enforcing it.
I’m with Amanda on this… Facebook demanding permission is pretty silly, especially since enforcement will be impossible for them to accomplish. Thanks for the update though, very educational! :)
Seriously – I’d love to see an example of them enforcing it.
Whoa, is this new? I had no idea, and to what means to they pursue infringement? Thanks, you may have saved me loads of complication! I appreciate it
Hi Jasmine – I don’t know when it started – I didn’t become aware of it until I saw it linked in their new resources section.
Hi Kim,
I have read somewhere that over 1 million Facebook users in the U.S. have dropped out of Facebook, and one of the reasons was this.
Wow! That’s a lot of people. If I wasn’t an admin on so many different pages for people, I would be tempted to close my account.
I’m not a lawyer (nor do I want to be), but it seems to me there’s surely a fair amount of web history by now to make a strong “fair usage” argument for the occasional illustrative screenshot in a blog post.
My guess? Facebook is likely just being all proactive here, providing itself with a tool that could be pulled out against its critics as needed. As in, oh, say, for example, if FB were ever to experience some human error or technical glitch that inadvertantly happened to expose users’ private data to its advertisers… you just know some blogger would be sure to rant and whine. :) But no screenshots, no proof, right?
Hi Rebecca – It seems really heavy handed to me. I agree that fair use should be applicable when it comes to demonstrating how to use Facebook. And there are sites like Lamebook who post screenshots of all sorts of stupid things people say on Facebook – I really doubt that site has “permission”.
I don’t want to be a lawyer either ;-)
I have found and observed nowadays that Facebook is very strict when it comes to posting or advertising your brand using their applications. They have alot of requirements and restrictions, I know it can help somehow but I found it irritating.