Why I Stopped Using (Most) GIF Memes

I don't know if you guys have noticed that I've stopped using many GIF memes (especially Disney related; which I loved). I was once nominated for a Catholic blog award for best memes because they were pretty awesome. I was amongst the first to use them (when everyone else was using simple, unanimated pictures) and now I'll be amongst the first to stop. Why? Simple: copyright issues.

I've heard that certain people/companies (including Disney) are cracking down on unauthorized use of images. It's hard to stop everyone but they're certainly trying (with whispers of lawsuits against tumblr -- aka GIF heaven -- making rounds). Movie and TV show GIFs are the most commonly used... and the ones that the rights holders really don't want to you use. Using a picture/gif of a scene from a movie without permission... on a Catholic blog? Yeah, let's just avoid lawsuits... I'm poor as it is.

I do still use memes, but these are either credit, reblogged on tumblr by those who own the images/shows/movies (mostly web series -- I mostly use those from Emma Approved and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries as the use of gifs seems encouraged by those who own Pemberley Digital), or the movies that are fair use / aren't copyrighted (I have a ton of pre-1926 movie gifs in stock; I love Harold Lloyd movie memes).

If you want to go there (and I know some of you do), you can also argue that copyright violations (aka using without permission) is also considered a sin. Maybe not a mortal sin, but definitely a venial sin. I'm not saying this is correct as I, myself, am not sure whether this is correct but I've certainly heard the argument. Just putting it out there so some of you can look it up if you wish to learn more about that; I'll definitely look it up as well. As a writer, I know that I'd be personally miffed if someone posted my books for free without permission so I'm definitely looking at this issue from both sides.

Anyway, this is just something I've been wanting to write about lately because of the explosion of gif memes that I've seen across the Catholic blogging world. Be careful, y'all... some people are sue happy.

Alright, I am going to finish eating and then go do other productive things that are still on my Wunderlist to-do list. :D

I hope y'all are doing well and having a great week thus far. Halfway to the weekend! Whoo!

As always, thanks for reading and God bless! :D