copy protection?

[Athena]

Is there a simple (so simple I could do it) way to make cd with images files copy protected (so other people can not make copies of it), but still have the images printable?

[felix.reichardt]

Never heard about any solution.

I think that would only be possible if you encrypt the images which can only be decoded by a special printing software which can only print.

Maybe there are some special programs around which allow you to package the images in a way that the single images are not accessible but printable.

[Athena]

Able to be viewed and printed is what I'd like. But the CD not copy-able.

I have another event to shoot and would SO like to just sell the cd and not prints. But I know once one is sold the black market begins. Asia... (probably other places too )

[Ellbee99]

Hate to say it but, just about any encrypting software can be pretty easily decrypted and rendered useless...in short order. If you didn't want to be able to print them then you could use album software and make a slideshow typeset up. How about uploading to some hosting site and have them order their own prints from there? Then the payments could get sent to you from there. Something like eventpix.com: Maximizing Your Exposure

[swampler]

Why not put only the one customer's photo on the CD, then it will do no good for them to make copies for other parents. Perhaps a little more work for you, but it seems a simple solution, if I understand the problem correctly.

Sorry if I made some assumptions that were incorrect.

[Athena]

Lori - Unfortunately Malaysia does not have a similar printing option and once you add shipping it makes printing from the states too expensive. Plus people here don't like to be charged in US dollars.

Steve - I tried that last time and it was just as much a pain as the printing because I still had to take orders. I wanted to make this super easy (on me) and still worth while. One disk, one price. No copying. Seems there is no such option?

[swampler]

Sorry, Athena, I don't know of any way (I've looked in the past).

What type of shoots do you do? We might be able to come up with some other ideas to help (I have one idea, but don't know if it would apply to your shoot or not).

[Athena]

It's for a performance with a cast of over 200. Easily 100-200 images.

I'm open for any suggestions. I've thought hard about it and can't come up with a fast/easy solution.

[swampler]

Well, what I was thinking of is what the photographer for the local soccer teams did. They took print orders (yours would be CD orders) at the time of the shooting. All kids were included in the team photos, but those who did not purchase any prints did not have any individual photos taken.

If you could do something similar, then only those who already paid for the CD would on the CD and would get a copy and you wouldn't have to worry with which kids to put on when processing the images.

If you've already taken the shots, then this obviously won't help you this time.

[brian.austin]

Adobe Flash could do it but you'd have to build the template and the player would have to be on their computer. You're allowed to distribute the free player under the licensing from Adobe, though.

EDIT: ok, that just stops the IMAGE from being copied but not the entire CD. No idea on that one.

[Athena]

Steve - that would work great for posed photos. I'll have to keep that in my pocket for if/when I do something like that. Actually, it's sort of how I'm doing the Santa pics next week. Pay up front, get your photo made, get your disk on Friday.

[Ellbee99]

Originally Posted by Athena

Lori - Unfortunately Malaysia does not have a similar printing option and once you add shipping it makes printing from the states too expensive. Plus people here don't like to be charged in US dollars.

Steve - I tried that last time and it was just as much a pain as the printing because I still had to take orders. I wanted to make this super easy (on me) and still worth while. One disk, one price. No copying. Seems there is no such option?

I figured that...I just thought there might be something similar around there.

[Athena]

Nope, which is very frustrating for me. That would make life SO much easier.

[swampler]

Have you looked at any kind of shopping cart type software where you could create your own website, have people order directly from you online, then you could either print them yourself or send them to a local lab on an order-by-order basis? It would put you more in the middle of things, but on the other hand, you wouldn't have to do full touch up on the photos until you had an order.

[The Viking]

There are some PDF creators that let you view the result with Adobe reader and print from there but if you try to copy the file(s) the created file will not read properly.

But, whenever I seen this it's always been low resolution stuff like scanned text.
(common on A/C manuals from manufacturers in Asia strange enough)

[Athena]

my website is a smugmug site, so it would be super easy if I were living in the states and could use their printing service... sigh. Malaysia needs to catch up!

[Songman45]

I don't know of any way to render the images viewable and printable but not copy proof. as suggested you could make an album or slideshow but even that could be copied and would still leave a print option right back in your lap. Tough problem.

[felix.reichardt]

Athena, could be a big business for us ... Let's get started.

[Athena]

yes it could Felix!

At this point I think I will offer a pack of prints (small size) or a printed album only. I'll have to spend some time in creating the layout of the book, but I'd rather spend time doing that than collating print orders! Then those who want it can buy the pack of prints or a copy of the book and those that don't want either can hate me for not offering everything on a disk for free. Cause that last part is going to happen no matter what.

[KerryG]

Here is the problem, you can get something like SecureCD or other copy protection software which will stop all but the better hackers from copying the CD or DVD. The downside is the licensing will set you back about $100,000 and that wont stop anyone from simply copying the files from the disc to a folder on their computer, it will only stop direct copying. There really is not good technical solution for what you are asking for.