Watermarks and intellectual property

Penguins wearing tuxes and tails conduct an orchestra of baby penguins in a Paris holiday vitrine.

As some of you have noticed, this weekend I began placing a "watermark" on my photos. This was done reluctantly, in an effort to protect my photos from misuse. I first purchased the software in April, after a conversation with Di Mackey, a friend and professional photographer in Belgium. For months I resisted using software (Corel Paintshop Pro Photo XI) to layer "watermarks" over my photos, as I find their placement distracting.

In the past few months, I have discovered several instances of my photos being used without credit and for profit - someone else's. The last straw came when a friend published a lovely collage of holiday photos - including mine - she'd found on Flickr. As I had not posted any photos on Flickr, I investigated further. Turns out, someone else put my photos on Flickr, claiming them as their own. I now feel forced to use "watermarks" as discreetly as possible, so as not to distract from the photos. Another watermark is embedded electronically within the photos. Have you experienced similar cases of people using your work without permission? If so, how have you reacted?

Comments

[designdna]

oh no! i had not thought of that....and for profit!?! whenever i am mia for a couple weeks i have to put your blogg in the bookmark bar so i can come back until i have read everything i missed! lovely visit as always. happy holidays with your daughter!

[Rosa]

I like your watermark. How do you find out if someone is using your photos? Lord knows mine are not as nice as yours but interesting to look into. Did you do a search? Do tell.

[Madeline]

I was just leaving a comment on your "Walk Along Oxford Street" post and realized that I didn't notice your watermarks. I scrolled back up to look for them a la "where's waldo" :). Just confirmation that they are not detracting from your photography and art at all. But it did make me mess up on my commenting and post it twice. Mea culpa.

[Madeline]

I agree with the others that your watermark is tastefully placed and well done. I have also contemplated doing this, I've had at least a half dozen photos stolen from my blog that i have found. Who knows how many that I haven't found? Which is your concern too, I am sure.

[Di Overton]

This is one of the big downfalls of the internet. It's so easy for people to do this and unless you spend every waking minute looking for copiers you trundle on unaware. The watermark isn't obstrusive it's your protection and I think it looks lovely.

[Colette]

People don't realize that the Internet is a small place, and Flickr is even smaller!!! It's just stupid to do that.

I came across one of my lino-cuts on Live Journal, where someone was using it as their ID photo. I left them a comment, telling them that it was my work and they required permission from me, the owner, to use it. I got a very rude answer back, so I insisted that she remove it because she was in breach of copyright. She removed it but not without calumniating me left and right.

[rochambeau]

Your watermarks are tasteful Tara. I'm sorry for the ficker incident. Susanna (of Susanna's Sketchbook)told me to make my DPL 72 so that my photo's wouldn't be good for others to use, but it doesn't work, or (I don't know how to make it work) I should say. My photos looked bad at 72.

I'm looking at you book list now, and want to tell you that the book Son's and other Flammable Objects~ (I told you about previously) is really a good book. YOU would enjoy. When I finish it, I'll send it, if you don't get it before.

xox
Constance

[Karen DeGroot Carter]

I think it's a terrific idea, Tara, and agree your watermark is lovely. Your point about it making someone think twice is the best reason to continue with the practice. Just don't stop posting those photos, please!! :) K.

[Tammy]

I think the watermark is tasteful. I would not mind people using my pictures but how sad people take credit for other peoples photos. Lovely London! XXOO

[tinker]

What a lucky coincidence that you were able to find out that was happening, so you could take steps to prevent it. I don't think the watermark is distracting. I've been contacted a couple of times by people wanting to use a photo of mine, and I was happy to share since they asked - I don't know what I would do if someone took credit. Thank you for sharing what steps you took - that will give me a starting point to think about if I ever have to cross that bridge...

[jenlaceda]

a watermark is somewhat a good deterrent for "technically-challenged" people -- and these are the people who usually steal stuff from others because they can't produce the work themselves! with your blog's popularity, it's still a good idea to stamp one on! cheers!

[sherry]

I love Mr. Penguin in his tuxedo...checkboard man!
Tara, I'm glad you are using the watermark. I noticed it the other day and thought it was probably a good thing. It looks lovely and I think it enchances the photos.
I know you were averse to doing this, but the reality is, someone is shop lifting from you and that's a violation.
Worse that someone is making money from your work!!!
It may work, it may not, but you have taken steps to protect what is rightfully yours. I'm glad.

[Kerstin]

I noticed your watermark just as I started contemplating putting one on my photos. I don't think that yours is too distracting. My main issue with watermarking is the same as for everyone else, I like to show my photos in their full aesthetic context, without "defacing" them. And I am not sure that it would discourage anyone who was really really intend on stealing an image, anyway. So far I am not aware of any misuse of my photos, quite the contrary, I am contacted regularly about the use of my pictures for publication on websites and in guide booklets. Since I am not a professional photographer (which would make this a very different story) I am happy for others to use my photos as long as I am credited. I would also be very unhappy if someone took credit for one of my photos, what are people thinking when they do this?!

[Merisi's Vienna for Beginners]

I wonder if watermarking can really prevent the theft of pictures. What if the watermark gets cut off and only the rest of the photo used?

Tara responds:

Ideally, the watermark should be placed in an area that can't be removed, without spoiling the picture. The photos also have an electronic watermark that is invisible to the eye, but contains specific code. I don't think there are any foolproof measures for preventing others from stealing photos - but maybe these efforts will make them think twice before attempting to do so.

[My Melange]

Tara,

I have not yet found this happening to me. I have contimplated using a watermark(there is a free program available) but I too find them distracting. I guess, if I found someone using them, like you did, I would have to bite the bullet and put a watermark on them. So sorry this happened to you :(

[Pam Aries]

First..your watermark is very beautiful and not really distracting. It is too bad that folks have to do that! You have so many fantastic photos that you so willingly share on your site with all of us! I have been extremely careful since you told me about photo credit a while back ..I totally enjoyed the photo trip through Chinon! How beautiful!

[marita]

smart thing to do tara!
lucky you, finding out someone is using your pictures.
i haven't seen mine anywhere so far, yet you never know what happens to our imgages. chances in a million to discover it.
i think even watermarking doesn't provide protection yet worth trying though.
have a great sunday!