Image "Tags" for Proof of Ownership?

[Papaya]

I've had a concern recently regarding posting my work on the these forums, and on my website. The pros always tell you to mark/watermark your work somehow so that it cannot be claimed by someone else as theirs, which, I think, is some sound advice. There are many horror stories in the industry of someone watching a reel, and recognizing the work as one of their colleagues.

Browsing another forum, I saw they actually marked attached images for you (discreetly on the bottom), with date, name and so forth, which I think is a great idea!!

There is now some "proof" of ownership. An added benefit is when someone has saved your image to their computer, and later wish they could remember who the artist was.. voila! There is is on the bottom.

Thoughts on this? Think there is anyway that could be implemented here on Threedy?

[RickStefani]

Well, techniqually your work is copyrighted as soon as it is posted on the net and posting in forums is no exception. The reality is that no matter how hard you work at copyrighting your work someone can always steal it. I have seen images were people photoshop out the watermark. Now that is wrong but it happens. You have to register your work with the copyright bureau for it to be totally inforceable by law but the only way that you are truely going to know is if you have your work posted in a lot of places and the people viewing the work someone tries to pawn off as theirs knows who really did the work. The pain and struggles of an artist.

[Papaya]

Hey Rick, yah, unfortunetly no method is foolproof.. even copyright/patents (note the lawsuits vs. iPod, Sony, Blackberry, Ford)!!

I'm thinking the main use would be to identify your work to someone (ie potential employers) once they've downloaded the images to their computer. I always put my name on the bottom of my own work, but I know lots of people here don't.

[Chris-3DT]

Question: What keeps you from marking your images yourself? This can esasily be done in any common 2d apllication. :)

[pecenipicek]

and to ruin a perfect picture? :p


im just adding a little signature of mine to all my works from now on...

[Papaya]

I do mark them myself, but I know alot of others don't. And I'm not suggesting a giant watermark.. that screams PARANOID!!! :evil: