[clgustaveson]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

By using a Hot link you are infact pointing to the original source.

It only cause monetary lost IF they are selling the image for use and specify that hot linking is not allowed, in which case if that is really their livlihood they would use preventative measures like some websites that change the URL.

I will wait for a court case or something to prove this out. I don't think it's that clear as far as US copywrite laws.

We already protext against intellectual rights. But if you see a violation let us know

No, you are using their server resources and it causes them to lose money based on that.

I think it is not only unsafe as far legality because 1) it is stealing 2) it is against the Google TOS.

I don't think anyone as to specify hotlinking is not allowed, it is just a known rule. People don't put stuff on their website so people can copy unless they specify. Site like YouTube, ImageShack, Flickr are all sites that say go ahead. Most web owners don't want images used on other sites.

The fact that it is against Google TOS and 95% of internet hosts TOS should be enough to not allow it. If Google would be informed that would result in immediate suspension of AFF listings in SERPS.

The keyword here though is that display of images is restricted to the copyright owner, if that isn't enough if there isn't a copyright then you are eating up their bandwidth and that costs money.