Re: Protecting Web Images...

Paul McDermott wrote:
> I want to stop people stealing images...

        If they are not removing the images from the site it isn't theft. If all that happens is a copy is made (which is already something that happens as a result of viewing the site at all) then there may not even be an infringement. It is only if they copy and do something with the image that questions arise.

> is there any coding for this?

        There is the obnoxious "no right click allowed". It is obnoxious because it prohibits *all* uses of a right click, not just copying.

> Or a program that automatically embeds a watermark???

        I know Adobe has some watermarking features.

> I just want to prevent "save picture as" image theft

        Why? If all someone is doing is making a copy where is the harm? If someone is actually committing an infringement - such as using the image without permission on their website, or creating a derivative version - then you already have recourse.

> - or if they do save
> the image, I want that image to load with a great big fat symbol across the
> image!

        Why? How does doing that encourage someone to return to your site, or to purchase something from you? Besides, most images on the web are of a quality that only 'looks good' at a 3 inch size and would look really bad if printed and framed. Wanting to stop people from copying images on a webpage sort of seems like someone objecting to a photograph being taken through a shop window of a painting for sale - sure the photographer has a copy of the painting, but there is no way that the photographic print is going to compete with the painting.

> I have seen a site that does not allow right click 'saves'...

        I don't know of a solid survey on the topic, but I suspect that this annoys more people than it actually prevents anything. Additionally it is fairly easy to work around if one really wants to as there is already a copy of the image in the Temp file.

> Stressed.

        Don't be. People being able to view your work are sure to more than offset the negligible effects of people copying the mediocre versions that it is practical to display on the web.

	cheers,
	Christopher

-- 
Christopher Gwyn
cgwyn[_at_]wolfenet.com