Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (Full Version)

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Scotty -> Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (1/19/2004 1:43:11)

Actually, what they did is respond to a thread on a forum using a picture on our site to illustrate their point. It's a really popular forum/thread and I only found it by checking the webalizer and noting that 1 picture was accounting for 5% of the bandwidth being used. (out of hundreds of photos).
Seems everytime the thread is loaded, up loads the photo, up goes my bandwidth usage.
Is there a way to manage this sort of thing better rather than my blind luck?
Regards, Scotty



toniallen -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (1/19/2004 3:49:24)

What they are doing is called "hotlinking".

Depending on your host/CP, you might have a way to stop this right inside your hosting account's control panel.

If not, you can use .htaccess to prevent hotlinking. It's pretty easy. And this link makes it even easier:
http://www.htmlbasix.com/disablehotlinking.shtml

Only works if you are NOT on windows hosting. Im sure there is someway to prevent hotlinking on a windows server, though...



DarlingBri -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (1/19/2004 4:01:27)

In the interim, rename the file on your server.

Alternatively, just change the file to a different image. A black and white, highly compressed one, that says "Copyright infringement. Image used without permission."



Giomanach -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (1/19/2004 4:16:01)

They could have Richt Click>Save Target As, of which could be got round by removing right click on the site or going here and using one of their Context Menus.

If it is hotlinking you can go here to try and prevent hotlinking.

Dan



Mojo -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (1/19/2004 9:05:34)

quote:

...removing right click on the site


That only stops neophytes...

My idea would be to switch the image to an advertisement for your site... Something like "Mention this ad to receive a 5% discount".



LB -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (1/19/2004 9:56:06)

To "break" links such as this on a regular basis, organize all your images into an image folder and rename this from time to time. /image /images /myimages /whatever

Each time the folder is renamed all links will be broken. Granted, in a case like this it might be a good opportunity to advertise like Joe suggested. Part of that depends on if people are actually looking at the image or if they're mostly reading other parts of the thread and the image load is wasted. [;)]

Linda



LB -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (1/19/2004 9:57:29)

Forgot to mention.... be sure to rename that folder within FP so all links will automatically be updated!

Linda



Scotty -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (1/19/2004 11:29:45)

Thanks for all the great ideas. I've passed the server solutions along to our web person for their review.
I got a chuckle out of the "copyright" infringment idea and if it happens again with the same party I'll try it.
I really woke up to the idea of converting it to an ad for our site. (lemonaid from lemons).
Regards, Scotty



bnavis -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (1/30/2004 18:48:08)

This had happened to one of my client's sites. We did edit the image to add our name and url to it. The image stayed on the other guy's site for months, until he realized it and removed it.

Editing the image and renaming an "images" folder are great ideas.



cooper -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/2/2004 9:02:22)

quote:

Something like "Mention this ad to receive a 5% discount".


This is a great idea... but why not reverse it...

Make it an ad for THEIR site telling visitors they can save 50% by mentioning the ad!



Scotty -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/2/2004 13:58:12)

Cooper; Now that is an absolute hoot. I'm looking forward to the next person who "steals" a jgp/bandwidth from us.
Regards, Scotty



Mojo -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/2/2004 17:52:50)

Cooper!

LOL - what an excellent idea...



DanGB -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/4/2004 17:16:25)

you can always change it to a 'rude' picture [;)][:D]



Reflect -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/10/2004 17:15:53)

Came across an IIS based one on a news group that I frequent today. I have not tried this product but it sounds like a nice one...

http://www.xde.net/xq/tool.hotlinkstop/qx/index.htm

Brian



ajdevies -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/10/2004 22:37:52)

Here's an article about design theft and legal options:
Design Theft

I am 'low tech' and found a freeware program some time back, called "Copyrightleft" by Lionel Allroge at Lune Rouge (Red Moon in English). It's a nifty little program that allows you to add custom copyright text to any of the four sides of a photo, varying the background and text colors as well as the font.

I have used it liberally on my personal web page. By matching the background and text colors to the colors in the photo, the copyright notice is barely visible. But the important thing is that it is still there. Don't know why anyone would want photos of my cats, but I figured better safe than sorry.

"Copyrightleft" was made available under the GNU license. A check of the Lune Rouge website indicates free software is still available on one page, but clicking the link takes you to a HTTP 404 page.

I still have the compressed (zipped) installation program. If anyone can explain the GNU license with regard to my sharing of the program, I'd be glad to make it available IF IT IS LEGAL TO DO SO.

I have not Googled for "Copyrightleft", so perhaps it is available at another website.

Good luck. I especially like the reverse referral idea.



Reflect -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/11/2004 7:29:20)

quote:

I have not Googled for "Copyrightleft", so perhaps it is available at another website.


Sure is...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Copyrightleft

Brian



dpf -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/11/2004 10:09:01)

I love some of the suggestions here - particularily putting an ad for your site and putting a coupon of 50% (or 90%!!) off for their site. I must add, however, that they are not guilty of any copyright infringement. Had they right clicked a copy to their files and placed that copy on their web server that would be copyright infringement. On the other hand what they did was simply link to your version on the web so others could view it. Placing a file on the web is inherent permission that the file be viewed via a browser. They may be sneaky and deceptive but they didnt violate copyright. Also, the hidden text "copyright" is cute but pointless. If you created a work and can prove it, you hold a copyright -with or without registration or notice. The point of the copyright notice is simply awareness, not legality and if it isnt legible, there is no point.
Patrick



whitemc -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/12/2004 14:40:31)

I hope this is in line with this thread. I had a recent similar experience where someone copied all of the px on my commercial site. The kicker is that they contacted me and wanted me to dropship to their customers or I never would have found the copies.

They have no inventory and will be buying the products from me exclusively. They took all my products and marked up my prices. They even run a marketing campaign.

At first I was furious that they stole all my pic, but then I realized that my sales might increase at no cost to me... a free affiliate.

However, I'm still a little uneasy about the situation.

Any thoughts? Should I worry about this?



Mike54 -> RE: Someone loaded a jpg from our site to theirs (2/12/2004 15:04:14)

Personally I think I would have been thoroughly pi**ed off. If they were going to contact you anyway why didn't they have the common courtesy of asking to use your images to start with? I don't think they'd be the type of people I'd want to do business with. MHOO!

PS, I'd send them a bill for graphics work performed (and stolen)!



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