Protecting my images on the web, what do you do?

[Eyad]

Hi All,

I have started my own website which is meant as a showcase, no business intentions. The pics uploaded there are of low resolution (640x480) still they show decent details on the page.

A friend of mine advised me to remove the Zoom In/ Out button and to watermark them with "Sample" word because there are still people who can get screenshots and sell them (eventhough it's low resolution).

Should I worry about this? Shall I just put a copyright line at the bottom? Watermark?

What do you guys do for your pics to protect them?

Thanks!

[sk66]

Your best bet is a semi transparent watermark across the image. It does kind of ruin the image though.
Otherwise, forget it. There's no guaranteed protection. I just have mine labeled as "copyrighted" in case I ever needed to issue a cease and deciss order...

[fletch]

I just take really bad photos!

[dcclark]

Placing a transparent gif overtop of the image will help deter the basic "right click and download" crowd (but of course won't keep determined people away). I use only a very faint watermark on my for-sale images (see David Clark Photography in my sig) -- more as a way to identify them on other sites, than as a real deterrent.

But overall, if people really like your image, they WILL download it and use it on their desktop, watermark or not. The best advice I have is -- be flattered that they have such a high opinion. They are not going to be paying customers no matter what. Otherwise, just keep a sharp eye out for people using your images without permission, and always contact them nicely first. But honestly, I think that this is less of a problem than many people make it out to be.

[Jim Bryant]

I put my watermark across the middle, so it's not useable. But then again if someone wants to steal you're photos they will find a way to do so.

[sybren]

I added a border with my copyright on it. It doesn't interfere that much with the image itself, but it still shows my name. If they remove the border, they are in violation of the CC "no derivative" license, so I can send them an invoice for illegally modifying and using the photo.

[Jim Bryant]

Do you know of a website or blog that has published your photographs without your permission? If so, you should become familiar with the The Digital Millennium Copyright Act – DMCA. The DMCA criminalizes production and dissemination of technology, devices, or services intended to circumvent measures (commonly known as Digital Rights Management or DRM) that control access to copyrighted works and it also criminalizes the act of circumventing an access control, whether or not there is actual infringement of copyright itself. In addition, the DMCA heightens the penalties for copyright infringement on the Internet.

Under the DMCA, you have to provide WRITTEN notice to any offending service provider. I strongly suggest you hire a licensed attorney if you want to learn more about the DMCA or if you want advice on whether or not you can take advantage of DMCA protections. But for those who are interested, I have attached below a sample letter that my attorneys drafted with an eye toward compliance with the notice provisions in the DMCA. I have successfully used this letter several times. I make no warranty or representation that it will help you, but it may be a good starting place for you. To be sure, contact an attorney.
—
Dear (SERVICE PROVIDER):

Please consider this notice of Copyright infringement.

I am the photographer and the Copyright Owner of the photograph picturing (I attach a jpg of the image on my site and a jpg of a screen cap showing the image on the infringer’s site), which as of (date) was posted on the Web site hosted at (URL). I did not give permission for this photograph to be posted on the Web page described. Pursuant to the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, 17 U.S.C. §512(c), please consider this letter actual written notice that this infringing material is being stored and/or resides on a system controlled by you.

The email address of the website operator, who has illegally reprinted my content is xxxx@xxxxx.com.

I hereby request that you act expeditiously to remove or disable access to the photograph described.

As the Copyright holder who made this photograph, I have a good-faith belief that the use of the photograph at (URL) is not authorized by me or by any provision of the law. I also declare, under penalty of perjury, that I am the copyright owner and the information in this notification is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

My full contact information appears below. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX

—

Be sure to include your full contact info including name, mailing address, phone number, fax (if you have one), and e-mail address.

PLEASE NOTE: This post is not an endorsement of the DMCA – it’s merely a recognition that under the current law, this is one of many tools available to photographers to protect against infringement.

[dakwegmo]

640 x 480 is small enough that people realy won't be able to do much with them in print, though they can still be used online. I add a watermark to all my images as well.

Any measure you take to prevent theft, is the the virtual equivalent of locks on a door. They will keep honest people honest, but anyone intent on getting around them will.

[sybren]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

you should become familiar with the The Digital Millennium Copyright Act – DMCA.

That's a USA-specific law, so not much use considering the international nature of the internet.

It's a tremendously stupid law as well, but that's quite a different topic.

[OeterB]

Originally Posted by fletch

I just take really bad photos!

Quality! Hahaha.

I ocassionally put a really faint water mark in the background; one that you need to really look for most the time, so I can prove it's my photo. But I'm not that good yet for people to be stealing my work.