Re: Remove copyrighted image from your Facebook post please

No, the copyright is not voided simply because an image was sent to you via email. The sender (or creator) retains the copyright and the exclusive rights to copy, distribute, or display the image, even after sending it. Owning a copy of the image does not mean you own the copyright. [1, 2, 3]  

Here are the key points regarding copyrighted images in emails: 

• Automatic Protection: Copyright is automatically vested in the creator upon creation; sending it in an email does not change this status. 

• Implicit vs. Explicit License: While you may have an implied license to view the image, you do not automatically have the right to publish, sell, or publicly display it. 

• Forwarding Risks: Forwarding emails with copyrighted images can constitute copyright infringement. 

• Context Matters: Using the image for personal, non-commercial purposes is less risky, but unauthorized public posting is illegal. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]  

To avoid legal issues, you should get permission from the copyright holder before using or sharing the image, particularly for any commercial purpose. [3, 6]  

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-i-publish-an-email-that-someone-sent-me-in-my--542286.html

[2] https://www.geeklawfirm.com/if-someone-sends-you-a-photo-of-themselves-do-you-own-it/

[3] https://www.quora.com/Is-it-legal-to-share-a-copyrighted-image-to-private-recipients-by-email-without-authorization-of-the-copyright-holder

[4] https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/36224/when-is-it-illegal-to-show-emails-that-were-sent-to-me

[5] http://nulawreview.org/extralegalrecent/do-not-forward-why-passing-along-an-email-may-constitute-copyright-infringement

[6] https://www.quora.com/Is-it-allowed-legally-to-use-copyrighted-contents-like-an-image-from-a-website-by-quoting-the-source

Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals

On Thu, Feb 5, 2026, 4:10 PM Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com> wrote:

Sure thing. 

Now that you've sent me that in an email isn't that email part of the public domain now?

Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals

On Thu, Feb 5, 2026, 3:53 PM Brian Rodehorst TCL <brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com> wrote:

Hi Henry, 

As the publisher & owner of the Topeka City Lifestyle Magazine, it was brought to my attention that you used our copyrighted photos from a past issue of the Topeka City Lifestyle Magazine in a recent post. 

Please remove those copyrighted photos from your posts.

See the attached image for your reference. 

Thanks for your immediate attention to this.

Brian Rodehorst Publisher

• Topeka