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04/11/2012 01:45:34 PM · #1 |
I've had people tell me to watermark my pictures every now and then. Especially pictures on Facebook. I've heard people can simply copy my pictures and "steal" the pictures and use them and show them as their own. I counter their argument by saying that the pictures are in a low resolution and even if someone copies it its not of much use to them since its low res. I've also started to strip the photo properties before uploading them.
Although I've removed my pictures from Facebook, they are on my blog without a watermark. My question is
- Can people "steal" photos merely by copying it and using it at other places?
- Is there any way that people can digitally increase photo resolutions and redistribute it if its not watermarked?
- Does stripping properties of a photo serve the same purpose as putting a watermark on it?
- If I strip photo properties, no one can prove that the photo is their's right? |
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04/11/2012 01:58:57 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by romil:
Although I've removed my pictures from Facebook, they are on my blog without a watermark. My question is
- Can people "steal" photos merely by copying it and using it at other places?
- Is there any way that people can digitally increase photo resolutions and redistribute it if its not watermarked?
- Does stripping properties of a photo serve the same purpose as putting a watermark on it?
- If I strip photo properties, no one can prove that the photo is their's right? |
I'm not versed in copyright law as it pertains to Singapore, so some of this information could be completely incorrect for your country.
1 - It's not stealing, it's copyright infringement. Different statutes of law apply. One is a criminal offense, the other is civil. To answer your question, yes, they can simply copy your image and infringe on your rights at other places if they so choose.
2 - No. The person who patents this stands to make some serious coin. Also let CSI whatever know those scenes are no longer bullshit.
3 - Stripping all properties off the photo makes it more difficult to seek civil restitution. You want as much information in the EXIF data as possible.
4 - You also can't prove it's yours either.
CS |
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04/11/2012 02:08:02 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by cosmicassassin:
4 - You also can't prove it's yours either.
CS |
Yeah, true. But what I meant was uploading them after stripping properties. Even if someone copies it and shows it off as theirs, they cannot prove that fact right?
And also, what would you suggest? Watermarking or stripping the properties or simply shrinking the resolution to something like 72dpi? |
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04/11/2012 02:10:42 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by romil:
Although I've removed my pictures from Facebook, they are on my blog without a watermark. My question is
- Can people "steal" photos merely by copying it and using it at other places?
- Is there any way that people can digitally increase photo resolutions and redistribute it if its not watermarked?
- Does stripping properties of a photo serve the same purpose as putting a watermark on it?
- If I strip photo properties, no one can prove that the photo is their's right? |
1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. No, not in the least. If anything, it removes the tag your software may be placing.
4. Stripping properties doesn't really change anything in this case. If you didn't strip them, they would have data about their creation. Removing this makes those who would steal have an image without data... meaning, it doesn't say that it is your photo... meaning, they are not trying to peddle a stolen photo with somebody else's info on it.
All photos placed on the web can hypothetically be ripped off. Understand this, and know that it is true. Watermarks make it harder, as do services like digimarc, but it is hard to fight and you will be throwing your money into the wind in many cases to try to substantiate yourself. |
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04/11/2012 02:14:14 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by romil:
Originally posted by cosmicassassin:
4 - You also can't prove it's yours either.
CS |
Yeah, true. But what I meant was uploading them after stripping properties. Even if someone copies it and shows it off as theirs, they cannot prove that fact right?
And also, what would you suggest? Watermarking or stripping the properties or simply shrinking the resolution to something like 72dpi? |
No, they cannot prove it as theirs, but the overwhelming majority of photos never are questioned as to who owns them. As such, the likelihood of them being found out is negligible, and up to you.
If you don't ever want a photo stolen, don't put it online. Period. |
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04/11/2012 03:06:26 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by cosmicassassin:
...
3 - Stripping all properties off the photo makes it more difficult to seek civil restitution. You want as much information in the EXIF data as possible.
4 - You also can't prove it's yours either.
CS |
3 is true.
4, not so much. Copyright registration serves as proof. Also, so does having unpublished similar works (i.e. outtakes that have not been displayed where someone could copy/download them) if it comes to that.
Message edited by author 2012-04-11 15:06:51. |
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04/11/2012 04:33:20 PM · #7 |
| If you shoot in RAW, I would imagine that having the original RAW file on hand could server as pretty decent proof the image is yours. |
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