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Google just made a rather subtle change to its image search — but one that will have big repercussions for every church that searches the Internet for graphics and photos.
On February 15, 2018, the search engine giant announced on Twitter that it had removed the “view image” button that appears when users conduct a search for images. The move is designed to make it harder for users to view a high-resolution version of an image without visiting the website source of the item.
This has long been a source of tension between Google and content creators, especially photographers, artists, and publishers. They contend that the “view image” button made it easy for Google users to download copyrighted material without properly purchasing it.
Now, when users search for images on Google, users will be able to see the original source only be using the remaining “visit” button. Google hopes that when users see the original source within the context of its original website, they will be less likely to illegally download the image with proper payment or attribution.
For all Google users, including church staff or lay leaders, these changes are in effect now. Churches that may have once relied on Google image searches to quickly download images and photos for ministry purposes will now have to decide how to adapt to these changes.
Some legal analysts believe this change will make it easier for content creators to bring legal action against those who are found to be using copyrighted materials illegally. Because Google’s changes now introduce an extra step of only being able to view the source material by visiting the source website, it may be easier to prove intent to violate copyright law because users have to actively ignore the context the work exists within to download it illegally.
Churches that are making active use of worship media are well-advised to make sure staff and lay leaders are aware of copyright laws.
How to find royalty-free images for your ministry
Christian Copyright: What churches need to know about proposed new music laws
