Image Protection

[Voxann]

I tried surfing the net for HTML codes in preventing any images from being downloaded. I saw a few HTML codes that include CSS but I have no freaking idea how that works. :confused: Is there any way to explain to me better how this works in HTML? I need someone who knows website design VERY well enough to get me to know how to do that to keep images from being copied/downloaded.

Thanks!

-Mindy

[grnofslt]

Hi there,

It might take more than a password to protect your images. I can't remember about Mac OS 9, but ever since I installed OS X I have been able to drag and drop anything I want from a web page to my desk top. That includes pictures, text boxes, banners with graphics, anything. Now if you could find some code that would prevent anyone from doing that with OS X you might be on to something. I'm not sure if one can drag and drop from web sites using Windows to answer a thought if you are using Windows but again, if one is able to, then you would need more than a password.

I also remember one photographer's webpage from the past. Every time you tried to print what was on your monitor, you were directed to a page on his site that was a form requesting permission (and agreeing to pay for) the use of the image you tried to print. I think that might be somewhat protective except for the drag and drop thing.

I hope you find what you are looking for. It would be great for all of us who like to post our images for everyone to see but who also fear those unscrupulous jerks who think nothing of stealing anything they can

Billy Jay

[Rob Sylvan]

I need someone who knows website design VERY well enough to get me to know how to do that to keep images from being copied/downloaded.


The only sure fire way I know to keep images from being copied/downloaded is to keep them off the Internet.

There are a lot of schemes, codes, tricks, and methods for attempting to "protect" images/html, but IMHO they all either get in the way of the user experience and/or don't work across all platforms/browsers.

It is important to note that every website you view in your browser is actually first downloaded to your computer and then rendered by your browser, so everyone who views your images is by default copying them to their computers.

The simplest and most widespread method I am aware of is to use low resolution versions and possibly watermark them if you want (but of course that may not work in every situation).

What is your real concern and motivation for wanting to do this? Perhaps if you start from there we can help you find the best solution to mitigate your concern.

[Rob Sylvan]

You might also find this article (http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/22319.html) helpful. It covers visible watermarks, digital watermarks, and using metadata to assert copyright.

Hope that helps.

[phenn]

Here's another handy article. Cross posting in another thread:
http://cameras.about.com/cs/printing/a/protectimages.htm

[grnofslt]

Hi. This morning I went to a web site that was show casing Jim Zukerman nature photos. Zukerman has been one of my inspirations with natur photography for many years. Anyway, I tried to drag and drop or option copy one of his images off the web page (just to see if I could…) and a java script message popped up, telling me I had to have permission from Mr. Zuckerman to copy his image. So I know that it can be done. Now for you to find a friend who is good with code to write into your site, that type of protection.

Billy Jay

[superman]

Sadly, all of the methods posted here can be bypassed. You can always print-screen on PC's by pressing Alt + PrintScreen keys. For those of you who want to give away your images, here is a javascript code that disables right-click:

var message=”Copyrighted! Right Click Disabled”;

function clickIE4(){
if (event.button==2){
alert(message);
return false;
}
}

function clickNS4(e){
if (document.layers||document.getElementById&&!document.all){
if (e.which==2||e.which==3){
alert(message);
return false;
}
}
}

if (document.layers){
document.captureEvents(Event.MOUSEDOWN);
document.onmousedown=clickNS4;
}
else if (document.all&&!document.getElementById){
document.onmousedown=clickIE4;
}

document.oncontextmenu=new Function(“alert(message); return false;”)


However, the method that works best is stamping the images with user's name. This approach allows you to know who stole your image if you find a copy floating on the internet or a Peer-to-Peer network.

So what's so great about knowing WHO STOLE your image? If you collected their CREDIT CARD numbers, you can charge them!!! In practice, it's a strong enough deterrent that people don't steal images, since they cannot do so anonymously.

Newer generation software can embed the user's name into the image. This stamp persists even after screen-capturing, cropping, etc.

A company that does fingerprinting as a web-service is:
http://www.catchlock.com/