Image Metadata Security

JH
Posted By
Jack Haefner
Dec 12, 2006
Views
362
Replies
11
Status
Closed
I understand EXIF headers (such as image capture date/time, camera settings, etc) are locked at time of capture. That’s awesome.

Question–is there anyway–or is Adobe planning on implementing a way–that user manipulated metadata can be locked as well? Specifically, I add copyright info to all my images–this is good info for the honest person, but it could also be easily removed….

Thanks,

Jack Haefner

MacBook Pro 16” Mockups 🔥

– in 4 materials (clay versions included)

– 12 scenes

– 48 MacBook Pro 16″ mockups

– 6000 x 4500 px

MH
Mike Hyndman
Dec 12, 2006
"Jack Haefner" wrote in message
I understand EXIF headers (such as image capture date/time, camera settings, etc) are locked at time of capture. That’s awesome.
Question–is there anyway–or is Adobe planning on implementing a way–that user manipulated metadata can be locked as well? Specifically, I add copyright info to all my images–this is good info for the honest person, but it could also be easily removed….

Thanks,

Jack Haefner
What’s the point? Copy and paste and its gone.

MH
RK
Rob_Keijzer
Dec 12, 2006
but it could also be easily removed….

Not from your master he can’t.

Plus, because he knows that he deliberately removed the C/R notice, he also removed the possibility to claim he didn’t know.

Most important, he can remove what he want but he won’t gain any rights by doing that.

Rob
JH
Jack Haefner
Dec 12, 2006
What do you mean from "Not from your master he can’t?" I havent tried to add the C/R then pass it to someone else to see if it can be removed in Bridge…. Or do you mean b/c it’s in my possession?

This assumes that I track the use of every image. That’s the rub with this (vs the recording industry).
RK
Rob_Keijzer
Dec 13, 2006
Jack,

I don’t know how we can "track the use of every image" with the C/R notice in our image files.

But we’re not supposed to. It’s just a notification. On the desk (screen) of an editor or art director are a lot of images. A C/R notice can quickly clarify which is, or are yours.

Of course he/she can change it. So can you. But remember, it’s not meant as a hard protection, it’s a reminder.

The "master" is the original of the image (you submitted a copy, didn’t you?)

With that you might be able to proof (no pun intended) that it’s yours.

Remember, your work is always protected. If someone "doctors away" the C/R info, he/she does not gain ownership of the work.

Rob
JO
Jim_Oblak
Dec 13, 2006
Remember, your work is always protected.

….if you hire an attorney to recover damages and can locate a defendant. Otherwise, you are simply giving away your creation.

If you feel that the copyright meta data is insufficient, place a visible watermark on the image.

<http://www.creativepro.com/story/howto/23894.html>
RK
Rob_Keijzer
Dec 13, 2006
Jim,

I mean protected by law. You don’t need an attorney to remain the owner of the work. You’re not "giving away your creation" if you don’t hire an attorney.

Rob
JO
Jim_Oblak
Dec 13, 2006
You do not enjoy the protections of copyright law unless you exercise your rights in a court of law. It is a pretty basic concept. Legal matters are handled in legal places.

A copyright is simply a legal warning to others that you reserve the right to recover damages in a court of law if they dare to abuse your creation.

We can of course represent ourselves but if we are already clueless about copyright, we probably need a helping hand when we litigate.
RK
Rob_Keijzer
Dec 13, 2006
A copyright is simply a legal warning to others that you reserve the right to…

Many people think that they lose that right if someone steals their work and removes copyrights signs.

It’s agains that idea that I react.

Many post I see read as (sort of) "as long as my C/R sign is there I’m ok, but when someone clones it away I won’t be able to make clear that I’m the owner, and I lost my rights"

That is simply not true.

Rob
JO
Jim_Oblak
Dec 13, 2006
Good point.

You maintain a copyright even if you do not place a visual notice on the work. So whether or not someone removes a copyright notice, or whether or not you originally presented a notice, neither denies your ownership of the work or copyright.
JH
Jack Haefner
Dec 17, 2006
Thanks to all on this. Yes, I usually watermark my images as well as embed the CR. Art directors notwithstanding, I was specifically thinking of the unscrupulous folks who just grab your images across the www. Yes, I know of some s/w that searches the web for your images (and how they are being used), but that is cost prohibabitve….

REminds me of a story my wife was telling me regarding a website she saw. On the site, the housewife listed a number of ways to make more time in your day…. One hint was to SCAN THOSE IMAGES YOUR CHILD BRINGS HOME FROM THE SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHER AND PRINT YOURSELF! Needless to say, plenty of people responded to her post….
JO
Jim_Oblak
Dec 18, 2006
the unscrupulous folks who just grab your images across the www

You can reform them from unscrupulous folks to your own personal marketing team if you watermark your web address on your images. You may actually want folks to steal your images.

MacBook Pro 16” Mockups 🔥

– in 4 materials (clay versions included)

– 12 scenes

– 48 MacBook Pro 16″ mockups

– 6000 x 4500 px

Related Discussion Topics

Nice and short text about related topics in discussion sections