5,439 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 22, 2006
Three different watch photos which I have posted only in this forum (via photobucket) were used by bogus sellers on websites and auction websites during 2012. I seen a fourth one today which got me thinking. I have also seen two watches for sale - also by bogus sellers - based on photos posted in this forum by forum members - and I presume there are more examples.
Is there a way that when we load photos that a "watermark" or "copyright" in their broadest non legal forms be created automatically on the photos. I have seen our esteemed moderator have this on some of his photos. Michael I presume you do this before posting ?
5,076 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 29, 2003Sarasota, FL,
United States
Andrew,
I used to get upset by this. But the flow of information is so fluid it is impossible to stop. So I don't worry about it anymore. Its buyer beware to the max anyway. If you don't know your seller you are risking your money.
If someone thinks they are buying a DFB based on one of my photos then there is little I can do to stop it. Sad, but true.
I don't even block out the numbers on the back.
Heck, Nad's picture even ended up in a catalog of fake watches in the Hong Kong markets. What better spokesman for watches? But he never knew about it until Mark spotted it.
5,076 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 29, 2003Sarasota, FL,
United States
Andrew,
If you check the stats in Photobucket you will see that there are a disproportionate number of views of many watch pictures in markets known for phony watch deals. Photobucket is not alone in this regard.
In fact, it is amazing how some of the pictures get spread around.
Andrew --when needed, I put a copyright notice on before uploading. I use a shareware program, Irfanview, to do that and otherwise adjust the photo. I highly recommend it.
Also, I've had some photos pirated as links by eBay sellers: that is, they don't bother to upload the photo to their server. When that occurs,I change the image for the duration of the auction.
1,631 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 16, 2002
I had some photos printed in a book and was credited. They were lifted from the book and appeared on bootleg CDs even though they were only small prints in the book. So nothing new and no chance of any £$ or € coming my way. Copyright rules and infringement just barely exist in some markets and with the Internet making things so accessible its not easy to ascertain who has breached an individual's copyright.
2,283 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 2, 2001
I have had cases where I "Google" a watch reference number and find pictures that I had posted somewhere come up along with other photos presumably from other people. Therefore, anyone can grab them and use them however they choose.
It is far more a "buyer beware" world than ever before. Unfortunate, but true.
5,078 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
There is no safe way, other than not posting at all. Even a watermarked photo might be used, As Alan points out, more than ever you have to buy the seller, not the watch.
4,760 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 18, 2006
Hi Andrew,
At fist I was upset about this too but there is not much you can do about it without adding the copyright notice before posting. Adding this notice can probably be automated in Gimp or Photoshop by using some kind of script and a transparent image with the copyright notice in an additional layar.
1,888 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 13, 2001Mansfield,Notts,
United Kingdom
Andrew
I use Picasa for initial upload of photos from camera This product enables you to watermark the photos. Usually doing it across the dial is enough to deter if using them on the internet / forums etc. Obviously you can also keep the original copy for your own records.
Is there a way that when we load photos that a "watermark" or "copyright" in their broadest non legal forms be created automatically on the photos. I have seen our esteemed moderator have this on some of his photos. Michael I presume you do this before posting ?
What are your thoughts on this topic ?
Andrew
andrew.thomas1@mac.com
I used to get upset by this. But the flow of information is so fluid it is impossible to stop. So I don't worry about it anymore. Its buyer beware to the max anyway. If you don't know your seller you are risking your money.
If someone thinks they are buying a DFB based on one of my photos then there is little I can do to stop it. Sad, but true.
I don't even block out the numbers on the back.
Heck, Nad's picture even ended up in a catalog of fake watches in the Hong Kong markets. What better spokesman for watches? But he never knew about it until Mark spotted it.
Last edited: 18 June, 2013 - 19:31
If you check the stats in Photobucket you will see that there are a disproportionate number of views of many watch pictures in markets known for phony watch deals. Photobucket is not alone in this regard.
In fact, it is amazing how some of the pictures get spread around.
Last edited: 18 June, 2013 - 19:31
Also, I've had some photos pirated as links by eBay sellers: that is, they don't bother to upload the photo to their server. When that occurs,I change the image for the duration of the auction.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 1 January, 2013 - 22:32
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:47
It is far more a "buyer beware" world than ever before. Unfortunate, but true.
Dick L.
whichwatch at roadrunner dot com
Bill
At fist I was upset about this too but there is not much you can do about it without adding the copyright notice before posting. Adding this notice can probably be automated in Gimp or Photoshop by using some kind of script and a transparent image with the copyright notice in an additional layar.
Kind regards,
Clemens
I use Picasa for initial upload of photos from camera
This product enables you to watermark the photos. Usually doing it across the dial is enough to deter if using them on the internet / forums etc. Obviously you can also keep the original copy for your own records.
Happy New Year
Ivan
iwcforme
iwcforme@aol.com