Was thinking of adding an avatar (random image I like off a search) and got to wondering this.
I think it’s fine if you’re not claiming it is yours. And most people assume that any generic/immediately recognizable avatar is just an image off the internet that the user just likes.
Though there’s maybe a weird grey area where if you use artwork from someone that isn’t like… a super established artist (hard line to draw) it’s kind of iffy. I wouldn’t feel right using someone’s drawing off Instagram. But plenty of people use anime avatars from manga etc. and I don’t see an issue.
Not the most important topic in the world but I thought it was fun to think about.
It isn’t diverting money from the creator in any way, so even if it was technically not fair use, it’d be unlikely for anything to come of it.
Made me wonder since I changed mine recently: Is a screenshot I take of a video game mine or not? Like my new PFP is a character I made in a game. I didn’t male the game, but I arranged the pieces and set the colors and took the picture. Similarly, if I took a photo of the guy in the Mickey Mouse costume at Disney Land, is it mine or Disney’s? 🤔