Private Website and copyright/GDPR
<p>Similar questions have been asked before but I still could not find answers that made me understand it. 
I created a website and would like to know which laws affect me. The website does not have any ads and I do not sell any data in fact the entire thing is open source and free to use for everybody but I have the feeling that this does not matter at all.</p>

<p>The website is some kind of "proof of concept" and I made it to demonstrate some new techniques. To do so I used some images and Gifs which may be under copyright but since I don't earn money for myself and there is no company backing me I was hoping that there is some protection for private persons like me who just want to showcase the project. </p>

<p>I am also insecure about the GDPR regulations since I give users the ability to create an account and try it out. </p>

<p>Is there any way to protect me against greedy lawyers and companies? Could I write something like: "This website is a peace of art" and save myself with arguments like "artistic freedom" or "free speech"? </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>To do so I used some images and Gifs which may be under copyright but since I don't earn money for myself and there is no company backing me I was hoping that there is some protection for private persons like me who just want to showcase the project.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Sorry.  If your website is public facing (i.e. not password protected and available only to family and close friends), you need to follow copyright law. There is no exception to copyright just because a project is run by an individual for non-commercial purposes.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I am also insecure about the GDPR regulations since I give users the ability to create an account and try it out.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Your profile says you're in the EU.  Then you need to comply with the GDPR.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Is there any way to protect me against greedy lawyers and companies? Could I write something like: "This website is a peace of art" and save myself with arguments like "artistic freedom" or "free speech"?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Nope.</p>

<p>A controversial website run by Peter Sunde had at one point a "free speech" disclaimer (similar to the one you propose) posted. However, Sunde did never use this defense in court: <a href="https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/06/17/finnish_court_slaps_peter_sunde_with_350k_fine/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Finnish court slaps Peter Sunde with €350k fine</a>. If he had shown up in court, I am pretty sure the court would have told him that such a disclaimer has no legal merit.</p>

<p>The only protection that will make you completely safe is to adhere to the law.</p>

copyright gdpr