One tangent: the TOC prohibits community members from uploading content that violates or infringes on third party rights, including copyright and other IP - such as using an image without the owner's permission.
I think the QS may start enforcing that need for an image owner's permission, which will affect much of the use of comparison item pictures.

CYA clause

If an image come off of Google images I would think it's a good chance it's public domain. Not 100% mind you. But since they are not being sold or used to sell the actual item wouldn't that also help in saying you are not infringing upon the copyright?

@Clinton and Mike I don't know much about copyright law, but I know the Google robot collects all data from every website and downloads everything including pictures, so unless you code your website to avoid certain data it collects it all.
So just because it is on the Internet doesn't mean it is public domain.....Imagine using an actors image in your advertising campaign and never asked that actor for permission, do you think that actor wouldn't be running to the Lawyer immediately...

I think adding a link to the original source may help reduce confusion. I think it is very helpful to show illustrations of similar products and/or materials--but it can be misleading if the photos are not clearly marked. I always try to include a Googleable title with photos to show it is not my work & someone can easily search the source. It would be nice if there was a small icon to show a link to a photo's origin too.

I much prefer a bad drawing to a stock photo of a similar product. I don't know about the rest of the community, but I rarely vote for submissions where the idea is "like this, only different".

I try to show a rough drawing along with the nice image but lately there seems to be a lot of people that don't get it and think the nice image is my idea. Gotta wonder what is going on in their minds thinking why would this guy post that dumb drawing when he has a good image... :-/

Whenever I've poached a image (for inspiration), I've always included in bold text that it was not my own image -- because I thought this was okay. How many people have actually read the TOCs? I've read the TOCs for something specific only. However, after tonight's town meeting, I will always - always - always use my own inspirational images. Fortunately, the images I have in this current round are my own. I'll be able to sleep tonight.

I was guilty of doing it on the shoe round, but I thought I covered myself (some did not think so) but I did look up patents to see if it was an international patent into the US...Ok, I vow to never do it again! I have to now pay big money to get my uncle to draw up some pictures! Anyone want to offer a lower price to make some money??

There's definitely a sweet spot. From experience, people-even professional creative types won't look at a crude sketch and get it unless they are very familiar and confident with your process and capability to "tie down the loose ends". There's probably a 1/100 chance that someone will react as you hope to a loose sketch. So, you need to get at least 85% of the way with your illustration or reference. Or else and you're going to be battling. It gets even more challenging with non-creatives who don't know you. If it's an idea you believe in, it's probably worth it to pay an artist friend for a sketch.

The other side of paying for a nice sketch or creating your own nice one is the waste to pay for it. Sadly you know if your product goes forward it's going to be completely re-designed by the Quriky staff. I would have guessed inventors would have that special "I can see it/picture it" gene. But then it seems the non-inventors have a lot pull in moving ideas forward. Sadly we are a must see it to vision it society.

Someone here suggested hiring a college student studying design. Most colleges (that I know) have online job boards where you can post for your much cheap(er) labor. The student makes a few bucks and gets to put something on their resume.

Sandra I missed it and had not thought of doing that. I guess I'll be looking into that today! Thanks...

One trick:
Voters seem to be a lot less confused when an "inspiration image" is not the thumbnail.
The thumbnail is always the first image uploaded...so it helps if "inspiration images" are uploaded second or later.

Most picture online have watermarks or embed codes which can be placed in images useing the many editing softwares out there so that they can be tracked, (Photo Shop dose it). This can indicate were they are being shown and that is not a good thing. a friend on mine did this once and he got alot of greef, and he downloaded it! : Easy way to solve this is to just take pictures of your idea when you have got a promo. make it out of anything, if you cant draw your picture, ask a friend to draw it for you and by him/her a drink. I will be drawing mine :)