I'm pretty sure I agree you both here, John/Theo.

I suspect those who are already mindful of their activity regarding images will be affected little by this. Those who are less mindful because they are rushed, thoughtless, blissfully unaware or ill-informed, will also carry on regardless. Sadly, they'll continue to simply click on the thumbnail Google image search offers, then right-click Save picture as, or whatever their browser offers. No change?

I'm not sure whether this is related, but i a Google doc or slide, when you Insert - Image - Search the Web, the default you're *now* given is to "Only select images that you have confirmed that you have the license to use." I'm pretty sure that it *used to* only offer images which were tagged as usable by others. This is a big deal for GAfE schools I think and a retrograde step I think. Whether it's related to the former issue ...?

I'm not sure where I stand on the politics that Theo mentions. Getty (one commercial enterprise) petitioning for Google (another enterprise) to change its architecture on the grounds cited, *feels* more of a commercial matter than an affront to the open principles of the Web. It seems more like Google's service that took the hit, rather than Internet services? Is that fair?

I suspect this will rumble on in one form or another.