Is it legal to use images from the web in a mobile app?

Question

Android

Hello everyone, we are developing a mobile application. And there was a question about the copyright of the image. Many images have been found on pinterest. To what extent is it legal to use them in a mobile application so that there are no problems and how? The mobile application will be distributed all over the world, therefore, positions from international practice are of interest. For example, is it possible to add images to the application locally and how to do it correctly? Or if it's not possible locally, is it possible to add links to these images? There are many more than 200 images, it is not an option to search and ask the author for each. Perhaps there are some ways how to get around the right in terms of partial image changes. The images will be used as the cover for the filter in the photo editor. Thanks

Answer 1

It was necessary to think about this earlier, look for images on special photobanks, and get official licenses for them for a small amount of money.
But judging by

search and ask the author for each is not an option

you have already decided everything for yourself.
Then it is not very clear what the question is. What could be the consequences? If your app becomes in any way in demand, and someone notices that you have used its images without permission, they will complain to the app store. You will either be banned or required to eliminate violations. They can also force uninstall the application from all devices. The copyright holder can also sue you for damages. But copyright holders from other countries are unlikely to bother with this. Although, if you have something to take, they can unite and get confused.

Answer 2

What's the problem with buying a subscription to a shutter or using a free unsplash?
There is no way to just take an image and use it commercially. It can be used as an illustration for an article indicating the author, but this is not always and not always possible.