Poll: Do you use copyrighted materials in your animations?

We've talked about protecting copyrights in our own work to prevent unlawful misuse, sale, and distribution - but how often do you think about respecting others' copyrights when producing your animations? It's tempting to snitch someone else's artwork as a backdrop for an animated piece; tools like Google Image Search make it even easier. It's also far too easy to say, "Why write to an artist or record label to ask permission to use a song for a soundtrack (and possibly pay fees on it, as well) when it's easier to just use the track and hope that they'll never notice one among millions?"

It's easy, sure, but it doesn't make it right. Respecting others' copyrights is as important as protecting your own. So ask yourself:

Do you use copyrighted materials in your animations?

• I'll use others' artwork, but not music.
• I'll use music tracks, but not others' artwork.
• I use whatever I can get my hands on. If it's available, it's fair game.
• I only use royalty-free music and images, and provide credit where I can.
• I produce my own artwork and music.
• A combination of the above two options.
• I use some copyrighted material, but only within the standards of legally defined fair use.
• Other/Will explain in comments.
• I don't animate.

Current Results

Have you voted in last week's poll?

Related:

• Royalty-Free Music and Sound Effects Resources for Animators