NZFF

Can anyone advise on how to use a satellite image, (e.g. Google Earth), as a photoreal layer without infringing copyright?

Assume the payware designers have to pay...but what if it's part of a freeware scenery area?

Cheers.

Bear in mind that not all Google images belong to Google, but if they do, then you are pretty much out of luck.
If they don't, then you just need to find out who owns it (it normally says in Google Earth) and ask if you can use it. Even for payware, I've generally had good responses to this approach.
In New Zealand, there is plenty of coverage which is freely available and distributable under the Creative Commons 3.0 license, so I tend to stick with this now.

toprob wrote:

QUOTE (toprob @ Jan 9 2015,7:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bear in mind that not all Google images belong to Google, but if they do, then you are pretty much out of luck.
If they don't, then you just need to find out who owns it (it normally says in Google Earth) and ask if you can use it. Even for payware, I've generally had good responses to this approach.
In New Zealand, there is plenty of coverage which is freely available and distributable under the Creative Commons 3.0 license, so I tend to stick with this now.

Thanks for that. I didn't think of Creative Commons Licence material.

Crikey .. that is a treasure of photo material

Yes, LINZ is awesome. As well as the aerial coverage, they are great for other GIS data and high quality maps. I have DVDs worth of the older, lesser quality coverage. I considered buying the whole of the new coverage on a hard drive as they offer that service. Maybe when I've got some money...

Wow nice source. But...You are allowed to modify the orthophoto? (correct colour, brightness...).

you'd need to have a proper read through any license, but the Creative Commons license is designed for reuse and adaptation.
Take a look at the "human readable" version: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/nz/