Bespoke text or kind of electronic signature on photos?

[purplelion77]

Right. I've searched around existing Forum topics and didn't see that anywhere so I decided to make this new topic. Having uploaded many of my favourite photos in my collection I'm a bit concerned that someone might just copy them and post them somewhere else presenting them as their own photo (it has happened to me before but on another site). I know that the best way around this would be to write my name on the picture BEFORE I upload it but it didn't occur to me that this would be a problem in Panoramio as well until I saw that other users do write their names on their photos. My question is: Is there a way to add some sort of txt or electronic signature on all the photos I have uploaded or do I have to delete them all and then re-upload them? Thanks for your time and sorry if I'm repeating a topic that has been discussed elsewhere.

[Kevin Childress]

Quote purplelion77:

Is there a way to add some sort of txt or electronic signature on all the photos I have uploaded...?

No

Quote purplelion77:

...or do I have to delete them all and then re-upload them?

Yes

[Draken]

Quote purplelion77:

Right. I've searched around existing Forum topics and didn't see that anywhere so I decided to make this new topic.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=%22stolen+photos%22+panoramio

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=%22watermark%22+panoramio


The search function in the forum is kind of broken but there is a lot of threads touching this issue.

Quote purplelion77:

Having uploaded many of my favourite photos in my collection I'm a bit concerned that someone might just copy them and post them somewhere else presenting them as their own photo (it has happened to me before but on another site).

Quote purplelion77:

I know that the best way around this would be to write my name on the picture BEFORE

No, it is not the best way. Unfortunately, Watermarks and names are easily removed with an editing programme.

[brent cooper]

Perhaps a re-read of the Terms of Service are in order:
11. Content license from you

11.1 You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services.

11.2 You agree that this license includes a right for Google to make such Content available to other companies, organizations or individuals with whom Google has relationships for the provision of syndicated services, and to use such Content in connection with the provision of those services.

11.3 You understand that Google, in performing the required technical steps to provide the Services to our users, may (a) transmit or distribute your Content over various public networks and in various media; and (b) make such changes to your Content as are necessary to conform and adapt that Content to the technical requirements of connecting networks, devices, services or media. You agree that this license shall permit Google to take these actions.

11.4 You confirm and warrant to Google that you have all the rights, power and authority necessary to grant the above license.

Proof of infringement litigation is hard to prove but it has been done on many occasions and perhaps if one isn't willing to ultimately share what one has then there is no re-course but to with-draw your acceptance.

[purplelion77]

Thanks all for your answers. I have read the Terms of Licence and I have no problem with them. I don't mind my photos being shared over the internet. That's why I publish them in the first place. I do mind when someone else finds a photo of mine which they like and they publish it somewhere under their own name. In this case according again to the Terms of Licence I'm the only person responsible to find the photo and settle the dispute with the person who has done that. Which, to be honest, because I'm not a lawyer and I don't enjoy being involved in such situations at all, I won't bother doing. It's under these conditions I've asked the question. I don't wish to withdraw any photos I have uploaded. Thanks again.

[CMilton111]

I have another way for you to consider.  You can crop out part of your picture that will prove that the picture was originally yours.  If someone claims that it is theirs then you can take them to court and prove the photo is yours because you alone have the missing part (the original without the cropping.  You can make that any part of the border so they would never know what or how much of the photo is cropped.  I do this with some of my art.  I only publish a cropped part.  If someone steals that I can prove that it is my art even thought the name isn't on it.  You can always make a book with all your work and publish it (self publish with IBN number).  All the works are yours in the publication and dated by the IBN registration and copy.  You now can prove all the contents are yours.  If you are challenged by a phony you have earlied non-cropped photo that you did not publish.  Proves it is yours.  I have other ideas if you would like to talk.  cmilton111   gmail.com

[Tomas K☼h☼ut]

It was said many times before - the only real protection against thieves on the internet is: not to publish anything on the internet.

 

Publishing cropped, resized, watermark signed, hidden watermark signed, framed (non orginal versions) is only a tool how to prove your ownership if you want to take the case to the court.

 

Publishing resized versions and using technical obstacles (like presenting photo via flash) is the way how to reduce, but not eliminate interest of thieves about published photo.

 

Very simple.