It is a common fallacy that information and graphics displayed on the internet are not covered by copyright. This is not correct. The fact that you can right-click on an image and download it onto your computer does not mean that you will not be breaching the artist’s or owner’s copyright if you do so. As a general rule copyright applies to content, graphics, backgrounds, and design, displayed on web sites as it would if the information was displayed in a paper brochure or in a newspaper.

If you see a wonderful graphic on the web and would like to display it, either on your computer, or use it on a newsletter, or in some other form, then email the artist, or webmaster and verify that the image does belong to them and request permission to use the graphic, specifying what you want to use it for. In my experience all my requests to use the images I’ve found on the internet for non profit making purposes have been granted by the artists concerned.

Similarly copyright applies to software (the programs that run on your computer). If you use software which is unregistered or pirated you are breaking the law. There are a range of programs available called Freeware which you are allowed to use free of charge as well as a range of Shareware programs which require a nominal registration fee to assist the developers with production costs.