"My point about permission didn't reference copyright law."

Which is why I did quote it, since it is the law to go by when dealing with copyright issues. :0)

"What I'm saying that just because a person doesn't mind if someone grabs their image, this doesn't make those who then take that image immune to violating copyright..."

... as long as the use does not exceed the rights allowed. Theft is only considered theft if the owner says it is.

"But are you trying to tell me that people are downloading images in order to educate themselves about artwork!"

Read the previous responses. Many people do download images to try to learn from them and figure out how to do certain effects, etc.

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"Among all this arguing..."

No arguing involved. Just a discussion about what is and what is not applicable under copyright law.

"...the law does not concern itself with trifles"

How about truffles? Surely they would have something to say about truffles! :0)