the use of watermarked photos

[HeinrichR]

Some people don't even see the use of watermarks on money, and will go to any length to photocopy money, (could we expect people to see the use of a watermark on a photo)
in my opinion most watermarks doesn't get the message of fraud across, non photographers would rather see it as the tog being 'windg@t' to advertise his name all over the pic.

should real watermarks not include something like:

TO ACQUIRE A LEGAL COPY OF THIS PHOTO PLEASE VISIT WWW. S U B S T A R . CO.ZA FOR CONTACT AND PAYMENT DETAILS



all designed into a nice watermark logo, that wouldn't spoil the photo to much , but get the message across that the photo has actually been lifted/stolen from a website

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

ok... here is my take:

First... I don't think there is anything like a "Public sporting event", somebody owns every event, there is always an organiser, there is always money spent to make an event happen, so to a certain degree, you might at some point end up with issues if the images are shot for commercial gain... if somebody requested you shoot the event(paid or unpaid), then they own the copyright, and you can't really do anything in any case... they need to go further with it

As for people stealing your images, If it's not for portfolios like your gallery on ODP, then nail a watermark right accross the centre at 45 degrees, with you contact details.

IF... you own the images, AND you may sell the images, and you then find a person using the image tha they didn't buy, then simply send them a single medium, single usage invoice with a 30, 60 and 90 day late payment interest notice...

Nothing cruel, nothing bad, just business...

Ours usually start with a small note attached to the invoice that reads: "We were very honoured to see that you appreciate good quality photography as much as we do, and we have checked our records but have not received payment for image: [add details] used here [add details + screenshot]. Please find attached the invoice for the image sage as well as a pricelist for other uses and enlargements"

The extra pricelist is then for canvases, framed prints, etc...

Side Note... If you shoot somebody else's propperty for commercial gain, they may block sales. Legally you are required to obtain a property release from them if you want to sell the image to a third party, as well as a model release from the rider/jockey

[jab2]

should real watermarks not include something like:

TO ACQUIRE A LEGAL COPY OF THIS PHOTO PLEASE VISIT WWW. S U B S T A R . CO.ZA FOR CONTACT AND PAYMENT DETAILS

Or "If my name is not Substar, I stole this image"

[N.M.]

Or "If my name is not Substar, I stole this image"

Haha! Perfect... great idea actually

[RoryA]

haha, received in an email from JunkMail:

If you Don't Have The Cash To Buy A Cam, use Google Images or www.Flickr.com to find a relevant pic of your item.

Google Images will probably pick up pics in the ODP gallery. You can almost get pics off google images without even visiting the site.