I have discovered that a picture of mine off my website is being used in different blogs and sites without my permission. Isn't that illegal?

Hi Theodora: The short answer is, it depends on whether the blogs and other sites can ligitimately claim a fair use of your picture under copyright law.  Generally speaking, if they are deriving an economic benefit from using your picture, then the scale is weighted against a finding of fair use, but I would have to examine the uses of the picture before being able to advise you on this point. If the use is not fair, then you may certainly have a claim for copyright infrigement.  Please feel free to email me at bappel@balegal.com to discuss the matter further. Brendan R. Appel