Copyrighting query

[Josée]

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone had any tips/advice/experience with copyrighting digital images. I'm being given different opinions as far as the best way to go about it.

I've heard some folks use something called 'Digimarc', while others simply incoporate a watermark using Photoshop...is there any way that someone could remove the watermark once it's been put into place?

Thank you!

[Rudi]

Copperhead,

If you never want your images stolen, then DO NOT put them up on the Internet! There is NO foolproof method for protecting them. That said, I think a lot of photographers get too hung up over protecting their images, and become their own worst enemy. People who want to steal your images, they will do it whether you like it or not. Restricting people's access is just going to tick off the other people, the ones who just want to view your images, and maybe even buy them once they have viewed them.

Most people are honest. You cannot protect yourself against the rest. I just put a watermark with my name and/or website, and it has brought me more customers than trying to protect people from right-clicking on an image, or any other nonsense.

You know those really annoying software authors who bug you with screens to register, or restrict your 'trial" version so much that it is unusable? You know how annoying that is? Well, you don't want to become one of those photographers! :D

YMMV, but being relaxed about my copyright has actually brought me more customers. :)


P.S. Digimarc can actually be quite easily circumvented - so don't waste your money!

[Robert]

Hi,
There isn't anything wrong with disabling right click and using Digimark, but these attempts at protecting your images from being used/stolen by others are not at all effective. Start with the laws of the land...visit your government office and follow the steps necessary to adequately register your images. In order to stop the illegal use of your images, they must be registered. This can be done for a single image, or for multiple shots. Only then would you have any hope of forcing someone to cease their use of one of your photographs and sue for damages. Seek professional help for photo copyright. ;)

[Rudi]

The problem I see with disabling right-click is that right-clicking can be used for other, legitimate purposes other than "stealing" images. Alienating a potential customer by locking everything up watertight has more negative impact than someone stealing a low-res web image from my website, IMO.

Like I said - I have found that by the simple use of a watermark in the corner of my images, I get more customers than when I was all worried about having images stolen, and watermarking them in the middle, and locking them away. Remember, once it's displayed on the computer on the other end, the image is already in the browser cache. If someone wants to steal it, and they are determined enough, they can!

If you want to display your work on the Internet, your images WILL be "stolen"! Most times it will be just people that will want to keep them on their computer, because they like them, and want to view them,maybe even learn how to take similar images, etc. Occasionally, you might find them on a Russian or Bulgarian website, too (happened to me!). But worrying about it is just going to make you old prematurely. :)

I NEVER put high-res images on the Web! Ever! That is the only way I protect myself. The rest is just a simple watermark in the corner of all my images, and I have had people email me to order prints just because of that - someone emails them one of my pics, they like it, and google my name.

[imageswest]

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[imageswest]

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[Robert]

Thanks Cliff! I am aware of the American copyright situsation and was led to believe from past discussions that Canada's system was similar...too bad it's not! It's disturbing for sure to know that protection of ones own images is so costly. I realize that without proper Government registration there really is no recourse against unlawfull users, but the ability to successfully file a law suit due to registration is threat enough for most pirates to cease once notified. The real concern I suppose is for those photographers who attract sizable sums for their work, to ensure that their property is paid for. I'm not in that snack bracket...unfortunately...;( ...yet...rolleyes;

[imageswest]

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