Copyright pictures?

**lv4dogs** · 04-24-2006, 11:34 AM

I've noticed a lot of folks, here & on other sites are all starting to put a copyright signature on their pics. Which I think is a great idea with all the pic theiving going on. I would like to do this with my pics but I have a few questions.

Do you have to actually purchase a copyright for yourself in order to legally protect your pics?

How do you put them on the pics?

**sammy101** · 04-24-2006, 11:34 AM

i would like to know that too.

**Miss Z** · 04-24-2006, 11:43 AM

That's a good idea, I would like to know how to do that too

**Roxyluvsme13** · 04-24-2006, 12:08 PM

I don't think you have to purchase a copyright. I have a website for my pics with a photography name (TigerLily Photography) but I just put BP or Briana P. on my pics. I'm sure Kay would know more about this though, since she's been (c) her's longer than me.

**lv4dogs** · 04-24-2006, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme13

I don't think you have to purchase a copyright. I have a website for my pics with a photography name (TigerLily Photography) but I just put BP or Briana P. on my pics. I'm sure Kay would know more about this though, since she's been (c) her's longer than me.

So in order for the (c) to show up on the pic, do you have to edit the pic, or do only limited sites offer this option?

**k9krazee** · 04-24-2006, 01:18 PM

I think they just put the Copyright on themselves...like in photoshop.

**Roxyluvsme13** · 04-24-2006, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by lv4dogs

So in order for the (c) to show up on the pic, do you have to edit the pic, or do only limited sites offer this option?

You have to edit the pic. As in this pic, I first cropped it, then I resized it, then I added a border, and then I added text saying (c)Briana P.

**Jessika** · 04-24-2006, 01:44 PM

You can watermark your photos yourself using an image editing program, creating text and positioning it over the image where you would like for it to show up (remember, put it across the center of the image, not off to the side or not over a prominent part of the image because that can easily be cropped or edited out and someone could easily steal the picture by removing copyright and adding their own, etc), then change the opacity of the text or the text layer to make it lighter so it isn't as distracting.

There are programs and websites out there that will watermark the images with your copyright, though I don't know any off the top of my head.

No, you do not have to purchase a copyright. And you can use the (c) or © symbol (ALT+0169), whichever you prefer. You can use your full name, first name, email address, website, whatever identification you wish.

I usually copyright my photos with either

© 2006 dont-stay.com
© dont-stay.com
© dontstay[@]gmail.com

etc. I'm still weary of putting my fill name on the internet since my last name is pretty unique haha

EXAMPLES

Good:

Bad:

See how, on the second image, the watermark can very easily be edited out? But on the first, it can still be done but will take a little more time and experience with an image editing program

**Kfamr** · 04-24-2006, 01:47 PM

Copyright does not have to be purchased - one's work is immediately copyrighted as soon as it is created.

To "copyright" my pictures, I add text in photoshop. I'm not worried about anyone reposting my photos or what not - but rather I'd just like to have my name on it if someone decides to use it. (Such as my friends like to re-post my photos in their livejournals or myspace from a night we hung out, etc.) If they decide to edit it out, oh well.

I HATE watermarking photos. I think it takes too much from the photo, and I'm not that worried about it.

**Roxyluvsme13** · 04-24-2006, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by Jessika

You can watermark your photos yourself using an image editing program, creating text and positioning it over the image where you would like for it to show up (remember, put it across the center of the image, not off to the side or not over a prominent part of the image because that can easily be cropped or edited out and someone could easily steal the picture by removing copyright and adding their own, etc), then change the opacity of the text or the text layer to make it lighter so it isn't as distracting.

There are programs and websites out there that will watermark the images with your copyright, though I don't know any off the top of my head.

No, you do not have to purchase a copyright. And you can use the (c) or © symbol (ALT+0169), whichever you prefer. You can use your full name, first name, email address, website, whatever identification you wish.

I usually copyright my photos with either

© 2006 dont-stay.com
© dont-stay.com
© dontstay[@]gmail.com

etc. I'm still weary of putting my fill name on the internet since my last name is pretty unique haha

EXAMPLES

Good:

Bad:

See how, on the second image, the watermark can very easily be edited out? But on the first, it can still be done but will take a little more time and experience with an image editing program

Aww, but then doesnt that sorta mess up the pic a bit?

**Jessika** · 04-24-2006, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme13

Aww, but then doesnt that sorta mess up the pic a bit?

Yes and no. You can still view my image, can you not? And if someone wants to use the image to make you an avatar or siggy, then you still have a copy of the original you can email to them. That way you can monitor who has originals, and who does not.

**Roxyluvsme13** · 04-24-2006, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Jessika

Yes and no. You can still view my image, can you not? And if someone wants to use the image to make you an avatar or siggy, then you still have a copy of the original you can email to them. That way you can monitor who has originals, and who does not.

Ah, yeah. I just prefer the copyright in the corner

**Kfamr** · 04-24-2006, 03:17 PM

The only type of watermarking I like is when it sort of "flows" with the photo.
I don't like it how you showed in the example, but like you said it'd be a lot harder to photoshop that out than mine would be, and better for those who REALLY don't want their photos used.

Example of "going with the flow" of the photo...
How it curves with her neck/shirt.

**Lori Jordan** · 04-24-2006, 03:18 PM

Ok bare with me i have been in a chat room for quite some time now and there was a women girl not sure what she was lol,Anyways she took a picture off a porno sight ok and they had there tag on it well we put 2 and 2 together found the name of the site and the picture she was using then she cropped it or something and the name is no longer on the pic,and is still using these pictures today.So my Question is there anyway to make it permenant?So someone could not crop the name on it?

**Jessika** · 04-24-2006, 03:24 PM

Nope - an image is an image and can be altered as such. If there were such a thing as a "permanent" watermark, then I would be ALL over that concept lol