Quote:
Originally Posted by loraksus
Really? Is there some magic picture registration fairy that tracks this sort of thing? Tracks the number of views and tells everyone how badly you're getting screwed by having an image on some emo kid's website visited only by his 5 glue sniffing cutter friends?
If you think that 400x250 pixel images are somehow hurting your picture's value and your pocketbook, you need to wake up to reality. Your work, while it may be good, is not that good.
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LOL...classic. Can't debate based on facts so we go for the wild hyperbole combined with personal insults. Incidentally, you haven't seen most of my work for the last six months or so unless you (a) bought one of my images or (b) sat with me while we went through my portfolio.
First, MySpace is no longer the exclusive domain of "emo's". If you haven't figured that out yet, you're missing out on a big, free marketing opportunity. Read this month's PDN magazine and you'll see several success stories where MySpace was central to their marketing and landed some pretty high end gigs. Heck, more than a few bands have reached radioland BECAUSE of their MySpace popularity (Blue October comes to mind).
Second, the MySpace example was just that: an example. Take the same image and throw it on Flickr as your own. Or iStock. Or entire it in a contest. Just because it's in low-res on MySpace doesn't mean the file sitting on the thief's computer is low-res...or being used elsewhere.
Third, yes, as a matter of fact, there IS a movement out there to start cataloging and tracking stolen images. Check out Tineye for a quick example. I know two photographers who have used Tineye to find stolen images...that were being marketed as someone ELSE'S original work. There are other services that are starting to come online as well. And for more extreme tracking, check out Web Sheriff.
Fourth, the abuse of DMCA takedown notices has actually caused larger sites to go back to their legal departments for more clarification and investigation. It's not just a quick e-mail any longer. Many requests are being sent back to the submitters for proof. This is where my original point about registering your work with the Copyright Office comes in handy, btw.
Fifth and finally, my point was that putting it on the Internet lowers its value IF you want any control over distribution. If you don't care, do what you like. I could care less. The less control you have over distribution of a product, the less the value of the final product.