GCU Forum - Image Security

Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6537
Gender: female

Image Security - Watermark
Feb 21^st, 2007, 12:27pm

On the top of our list is putting in place a security measure to protect your artwork images.

Although the images on GCU can not be captured in a resolution that will reproduce a high quality print, we agree with your concerns and are going use image watermarks on the larger images (not on the thumbnail images and due to the nature ecards, no watermarks on ecards).

We'd like to inhibit the card shopping experience as little as possible by using a subtle watermark that conveys a positive message to the shoppers. Since cards will be sold across other sites we will not use GCU in the watermark.

Perhaps something like:
"Image Rights", "Sample Artwork", "Protected Artwork", "Protected Image", "Image Sample", "Sample Image"...

Here is a sample: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/community/sample.jpg

Please express your opinions and suggestions here!

Thanks for your input, Mindy

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« Last Edit: Feb 21^st, 2007, 2:43pm by Mindy »

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Jim_131308 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 15	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #1 - Feb 21^st, 2007, 4:24pm I like it! The actual wording can be whatever you'd like, maybe SAMPLE IMAGE or COPYRIGHTED IMAGE THIS WATERMARK DOES NOT PRINT
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Stella_131317 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 8	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #2 - Feb 21^st, 2007, 4:42pm This is awesome! I have no preference as to the wording but am really thrilled that the images will be secured.
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131327 Ex Member	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #3 - Feb 22^nd, 2007, 12:50am Some version of the watermark will work fine. It would be prudent to include: - something about the watermark not printing on the actual card, - and that this image/artwork is copyrighted material. -- PJ Ryan
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Christine_131252 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 8	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #4 - Feb 22^nd, 2007, 4:11pm Another great improvement to GCU! Thanks very much! This site gets better and better. Christine
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mishka(Guest) Guest	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #5 - Feb 22^nd, 2007, 5:09pm another recommendation... in addition to the watermark, disable right-clicking on images. I just stole my own image. mishka
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Amy(Guest) Guest	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #6 - Feb 23^rd, 2007, 10:58am I'm so relieved that a watermark will be added. That has been my main concern. It's way too easy for people to click on the enlarged image and just copy it.
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Christie(Guest) Guest	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #7 - Feb 24^th, 2007, 12:21pm I am not a member YET... excited to become one, though. I was wondering how soon you think this will be taking effect? Thanks, Christie
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Jen(Guest) Guest	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #8 - Feb 24^th, 2007, 6:31pm I like the sample. Thanks for acting on this concern.
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Jim_131308

GCU Newbies
artist

Posts: 15

Re: Image Security - Watermark
Reply #9 - Feb 25^th, 2007, 6:12am

Mindy,

This morning I was looking through the site and decided to take a look at the thumbnail images (you said were not going to be watermarked).

I grabbed some at random and they are 1.8" x 2.49" at 100dpi.

Did you know I can simply copy these images and was able to use them without anything but scaling up (or down in one case) on MANY products from other online sites and if I were a thief, I could easily sell products with using these images and the quality would be more than acceptable. (I sell items through some POD sites and none of them really sell cards, which is why I was happy to find this site).

I was able to scale images to use on buttons, magnets, mugs, stickers, small shirts, greeting cards, a teddy bear, hat.

Why are thumbnail images of such high resolution? And in JPG format?

My involvement here I believe would be of benefit to both myself and GCU but if anyone can swipe even the thumbnails and use them to sell on what I have listed above (and that took all of 5 minutes) there are serious deficiencies in the protection you are offering your artists.

I realize nothing is 100% safe. That's a given. However, it should not be acceptable to have someone spend all of 5 minutes and be able to take an image, use it on many items and be able to make money from it. This is just from people who might wander into the site. How bad will it be when people see these quality of images, unprotected via Google?

I'll keep checking back from time to time and maybe one day I'll jump in. Right now, you have way too many problems as theft of images is guaranteed in the manner in which you have your site set up.

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« Last Edit: Feb 25^th, 2007, 1:34pm by Jim_131308 »

The Gumball Gang® Card Store:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/gumballgang

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Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6537
Gender: female

Re: Image Security - Watermark
Reply #10 - Feb 26^th, 2007, 2:04pm

Our image security measures are scheduled to be live on 3/1.

That includes the watermarking as well as right-click disablement.

Jim,
If we disable right-click function on the thumbnails is that sufficient or would you like to see watermark on those too?

Thanks for the opinions! We are moving forward based on your collective input and are absolutely committed to putting in place precautions for artists to be comfortable using our service. It is priority #1!

Mindy

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Jim_131308

GCU Newbies
artist

Posts: 15

Re: Image Security - Watermark
Reply #11 - Feb 26^th, 2007, 4:18pm

Hi Mindy,

Your willingness to quickly address issues is to be admired.

Disabling right click is something that can be done and it does not hurt.

My initial thought is why are thumbnails such a high resolution and in jpg format? even disabling right click I am assuming, and maybe I am wrong, that there will be some sort of google/froogle/type feed? Once that happens (and I am all for a feed of some sort) the images are out in the "wild". A disable right click won't do a thing for a search engine spider cataloging the images.

A combination of your proactive steps and a downgraded thumbnail image resolution should cover just about everything anyone could expect you to do for image protection.

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The Gumball Gang® Card Store:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/gumballgang

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Stella(Guest) Guest	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #12 - Feb 26^th, 2007, 6:51pm Just checking in to see how it is going! I will check back on the 1st! PS: Jim do you think 72 dpi would help on the thumbnails?
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Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6537
Gender: female

Re: Image Security - Watermark
Reply #13 - Feb 27^th, 2007, 9:54pm

Here's the latest update:
1. Watermarks are complete, you should see them on your images now with the exception of thumbnail images.

2. Right click functions on images have been disabled on card images including thumbnails (this may not yet be complete with so many thumbnail locations - wip).

Our last step is evaluating if the thumbnail images need any further adjustment for protection.

Progress is good

Thanks as always for your help.
Mindy

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Amy(Guest) Guest	Re: Image Security - Watermark Reply #14 - Mar 8^th, 2007, 4:26am The watermark is fantastic. Thanks for adding it. I feel much better with it there.
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