Watermarked Images

[dezinerite]

I want to start a site and I really want to use some watermarked images. Some has 'copyright' on them, and some images only have an URL.

Am I allowed to use these pictures on my site, or is it against any laws? Am I playing it safe by only having non-watermarked images on my site?

I would also like to watermark some images with my site's URL. I have no intention of claiming copyright to those images, but it's just to encourage people to visit the site in case someone takes an image from my site and would like to use it somewhere else. Am I allowed to watermark the images, or is that a definite no-no?

Thanks. +rep to relevant replies.

 

[DNQuest.com]

Unless permission is expressly given or is a free share, every pic has a copyright. Just because there is no watermark or copyright does not mean it is a free for all.

 

[dezinerite]

Thanks for your reply. I'd like to ask permission to use such images (esp. the ones forwarded via emails) but I don't really know who owns most of them. Can I just use them and have something on the footer saying "if your images are being displayed and you want them taken down please contact webmaster"?