[Web4lib] Image protection

[Havens,Andy]

Agreeing with Roy.

Cory Doctorow, one of the creators/editors of www.boingboing.net and an
excellent author of weird fiction, once said (I paraphrase): "The
greatest danger to the success of most artists is not piracy but
obscurity."


- A
Andy Havens
OCLC: Manager, Branding and Creative Services

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Roy Tennant
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 11:06 AM
To: web4lib
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Image protection

As a data point on photos on the web and protecting your intellectual
property, I'd like to tell my tale for what it's worth. I'm an avid
amateur photographer, and have been since I was a teenager (we won't go
into how long I've been doing this). A few years back I decided I wanted
to put my best work up on the web, which I am doing at
<http://freelargephotos.com/>.

My principles are these: 1) Besides thumbnail preview images, I put up
larger versions of 1200 pixels on the long dimension (typically much
larger than most photo sites will dare because of the fear of stealing),
2) I also send full versions (at least 4 megapixel) to anyone who
requests such for their personal use, 3) anyone is welcome to use my
photos on their web site so long as they link back to my site, and 4) I
charge a small amount for commercial use. In all cases I take people at
their word. If someone says a photo is for their own use I send it off,
no questions asked.

This past year I fulfilled many requests for full-sized photos for
personal use (e.g., school papers, etc.), and sold 15. Sure, that isn't
much, but it helps defray my time in maintaining the site, as does the
revenue from Google ads. Photos from the site have ended up on the
covers of books, government reports, and even museum exhibits (taken by
my daughter when she was 12), see
<http://freelargephotos.com/placements.html>. I've now taken on other
photographers as well.

Meanwhile, by encouraging linking I'm finding that my site now rises to
the top of many Google searches, such as "large photos", "large
pictures" and even "paris street scene" or "view from top of eiffel
tower".

In my experience, generosity is rewarded. Certainly it is rewarded by
notes of thanks from parents with children writing reports, or people
who miss where they used to live and want to have a photo on their wall
to remind them of it, or the many other ways in which small kindnesses
are appreciated. The financial rewards are not large, but they are
growing as word gets out and links are made. My hunch is that I will end
up making more money by being open and trusting than many people or
organizations make by being closed off and mistrusting. But I don't
(yet) have the evidence to prove it. Stay tuned.
Roy

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