I am currently looking at the topic of adding metadata to images and although I am behind in terms of the current conversation I do have some fundamental questions.
I was under the impression that adding file info in PS ( I am still running 7) was a waste of time since it could be erased. So I am working on the assumption that watermarking is the way to go. However I would be keen to hear any favorable or even unfavorable comments from current users of Digimarc. For example how effective is it? Does the tracking work? Are there alternatives? I notice that the reader which you can download only works on OS9 which is a bit of a drag.
Francis:
Yes, IPTC/File info can be overwritten or removed from an image file by someone else physically deleting the metadata from within file info, or accidentally saving the image using a "non-iptc compliant" image editor.
Of course someone can delete your image or remove a watermark from your image as well, but that doesn't stop us from making images available or putting our stamp on them does it?
I'm not sure what the exact nuance of the law is in Europe and the UK, but in the US, if someone "removes" a watermark from an image that's considered "intentional infringement" of copyright. Provided your image is registered, that gives you a big stick to wield in going after the perp or "infringer."
If you are only looking at putting IPTC info into an image as a means of "tracking" or providing proof of ownership, you are missing the bigger picture. It's a way to efficiently house the "metadata" about the image in a convenient container. It makes your collection "database agnostic" since you can build (or rebuild) an image database simply through the act of cataloging the set of images. This allows you to change database apps at the drop of a hat if you choose. Much cleaner than having to figure out how to "export" the data from your current app, and have it overwrite the data in the new app after cataloging the images.
I've not looked at digimarc in a long while. It may have improved, but since it was originally developed for print, I've always felt that it required too heavy an "imprint" to be readable for web resolution images. Perhaps they've changed the technology (certainly hope so) but many who didn't individually test each jpeg before posting on their web were amazed when the digimarc spider couldn't even find their own images on their own site!
When they spiked the price more than a few years back (primarily for the image search service), I decided that watermarking was an easier and more positive way of proving ownership... but that doesn't mean that I don't embed my metadata in the IPTC.
David
David Riecks (that's "i" before "e", but the "e" is silent) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.riecks.com/ Midwest/Chicago ASMP * ph/fax 877-646-5375
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