How to curb image theft?

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  • 05-02-2004, 08:43 PM
    Gabe
    How to curb image theft?
    I know there is something I can do to my portfolio site that will not allow most people from simply right-clicking on my images to save them. I've seen it at other sites (guilty!) where all I would get is a pop-up window that would say that I can't save the photo. Is it a program or a service? What's it called and where can I get it? I have a lot of photos on my site, and need to seriously think about this.

    Thanks!
  • 05-02-2004, 09:42 PM
    Sean Dempsey
    That stuff is worked around so easily that it's not even worth it. Alot of the time, simply hitting the "right click" key on your keyboard (if its the windows keyboard) will allow you to either view the source code and get the image that way, or save the image. If you are really concerned, then don't upload anything ove 400px wide. Franky, I wouldn't even worry about it. You'd sooner stop Mp3 sharing.

    Besides, can't stop a screen capture.
  • 05-02-2004, 09:48 PM
    Mig
    Sean's right - and in fact they don't even have to hit anything to save the image. It's already been saved on their PC, since their browser cached it as soon as they hit your page. Keep your pictures at the lowest res that still looks acceptable.

    Danielle
  • 05-02-2004, 11:28 PM
    Peter_AUS
    Just to answer the question asked, it is a javascript that does that, disables the rightclick feature of the browser. Really all they have to do is just File Save the page and they grab the webpage, and all files associated with that page, hence your images. As the others have said, if you are really worried about it, then don't post, but that defeats the purpose of posting images, keep them small, don't allow large images up (although this can be gotten around by software as well now).

    To fully protect your images you need something that digital marks your images as belonging to you permanently. http://www.digimarc.com/products/MYP...RC/default.asp has a system, not cheap, but seems to be popular with those that can afford it.
  • 05-03-2004, 09:55 AM
    Gabe
    OK, thanks for clearing that up for me. I figured it might be javascript or html.

    I'll look into digimarc .. I thought Photoshop had something like watermarking? How does that work - it shows up if someone else saves a photo on their computer?

    I'm only worried about photos at my own site. I hardly post anything here, but when I do, it's small anyway to help with loading time. But I won't stop putting up photos at my site - I want as many people as possible to see my stuff, ieven if it means losing a sale or two due to theft.