p.1 #1 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
If this sounds hard-hearted, well so be it....
I'm wondering if there is such a thing as a controlled deteriorating jpeg?
I would like a jpeg format that I could upload to my gallery that expires/destructs over a specific period of time, say 9-12 months and would do the same if someone copied onto their phone. We'll call hit .jpegMI -- as in Mission Impossible (this jpeg will self-destruct in ....).
80%+ of my sports pictures -- whether they are tiny, watermarked to the point of unreadable etc.. - are simply copied/saved. I'd really like to incentivize people to purchase the "safe" file. Yes, I know all .jpegs deteriorate over time. But this would be a controlled burn. And I know you can't stop screen saves.
If this sounds like the idea of a person who is fed up with image theft -- well, yes it is. I think we all are to one extent or the other. I'm not a bitter person, generally. But the image theft thing is getting a little old and so is the "well what can you do" shoulder-shrugging.
Curious to hear if anyone has heard of something like this ... and if it was available ... would you use it?
p.1 #2 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
You bet I'd use it. How about someone take the auto face detection software code and tweak it to auto REMOVE the face from the image without a code key.
Either that or your mission impossible file keeps the image in tact and says " This PHONE will self-destruct...."
p.1 #3 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
Hey maybe you can build-in one of those shredder things like the guy did with the painting and the Jpeg will shred itself!!! Hopefully more than just 1/2 of it cause that will just make it valuable!!! LoL
John
p.1 #4 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
The reality is that you will never be able to do away with image theft, so it's more important to focus on how and why it impacts you instead of trying so hard to prevent it. How is it affecting you? Where are people taking your images from? What can you differently?
p.1 #5 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
I like your thinking, but i think a better solution would be to have a security key built into the photo that allows the photos to display on a certain website. Right click and download, all you see is a message telling them where they can buy the photo when they try to open it on their computer. By having the photos self destruct, you give them time to enjoy them and reduce the value in purchasing them. Make the response to their theft instant.
p.1 #6 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
Yes, I know all .jpgs deteriorate over time.
This is not true. They compress when saved, like after editing, and discard data in the process.
Just sitting there, barring data storage failure, they don't change.
p.1 #7 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
Well I consulted my in-house Cyber Security expert (my son who is almost done with his cyber security degree) and he, quite humorously, confirmed what I suspected. This can be done but you will most likely end up in a Federal Prison. The answer is Ransom Ware. Plain and simple ransom ware is the method you are describing. The other alternative he said was a paywall client which really does not work and that is the current issue. He said the proofs or anything you post on line is essentially "free" for the taking. Not the answer you wanted to hear but from a DRM standpoint he said those are your alternatives.
He might not be the expert but he lays out the software process for DRM. He explained at great length how cumbersome the process is and would be, along with the obstacles to prevent an enterprise wide solution.
p.1 #8 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
He might be right. You say he's an expert so I'll defer but I fail to see how it is Ransom Ware if someone saves it knowing that the file is self-destructing. SnapChat is based on the ephemeral nature of the file/message. There is no threat of harm nor is there any "ransom" to be paid. Calling it ransom ware, seems to stretch the definition far beyond the way it is currently understood.
"He said the proofs or anything you post on line is essentially "free" for the taking." -- Files may be easy to save/capture. But that certainly does not make them free for the taking legally. If I went across the web and took the best sports photos from SI and EPN, and created a weekly on-line sports magazine, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't go over particularly well with their respectve legal departments.... but I might be wrong, I'm not testing that one.
p.1 #9 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
PureMichigan wrote:
He might be right. You say he's an expert so I'll defer but I fail to see how it is Ransom Ware if someone saves it knowing that the file is self-destructing. SnapChat is based on the ephemeral nature of the file/message. There is no threat of harm nor is there any "ransom" to be paid. Calling it ransom ware, seems to stretch the definition far beyond the way it is currently understood.
"He said the proofs or anything you post on line is essentially "free" for the taking." -- Files may be easy to save/capture. But that certainly does not make them free for the taking legally. If I went across the web and took the best sports photos from SI and EPN, and created a weekly on-line sports magazine, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't go over particularly well with their respectve legal departments.... but I might be wrong, I'm not testing that one....Show more →
His point was the "technique", is Ransom Ware, he agrees with the premise of DRM and the files belong to the Photographer. I challenged him on Ransom Ware while we were discussing the point. He said the naming convention of Ransom Ware is how a virus software program deals with what is embedded in the file. A virus program to include Windows Defender would label "self destruct" code as Ransom Ware. That was his point, not that you are holding anything for ransom.
His point in saying the files on line are "free" was just being realistic, not condoning it at all and not in any way making a legal statement. He is just saying that DRM is very difficult to implement and enforce. He agrees with us that what you post is yours not "free" for others to take. There are ways to protect the files it but it would require a completely different file format from what the enterprise uses today.
p.1 #11 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
P Alesse wrote:
Wouldn't take long for an app to disable it. If you don't want images stolen, don't put them online. Plain and simple.
100%. I said above to evaluate why it's happening and how to mitigate it, instead of fighting it. I also worked in cybersecurity for almost 20 years - you will NEVER win this battle, and it's a waste of time to think of ways around it. Instead, think of ways to not have it affect your business.
p.1 #12 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
PureMichigan wrote:
If this sounds hard-hearted, well so be it....
I'm wondering if there is such a thing as a controlled deteriorating jpeg?
I would like a jpeg format that I could upload to my gallery that expires/destructs over a specific period of time, say 9-12 months and would do the same if someone copied onto their phone. We'll call hit .jpgMI -- as in Mission Impossible (this jpeg will self-destruct in ....).
80%+ of my sports pictures -- whether they are tiny, watermarked to the point of unreadable etc.. - are simply copied/saved. I'd really like to incentivize people to purchase the "safe" file. Yes, I know all .jpgs deteriorate over time. But this would be a controlled burn. And I know you can't stop screen saves.
If this sounds like the idea of a person who is fed up with image theft -- well, yes it is. I think we all are to one extent or the other. I'm not a bitter person, generally. But the image theft thing is getting a little old and so is the "well what can you do" shoulder-shrugging.
Curious to hear if anyone has heard of something like this ... and if it was available ... would you use it?...Show more →
p.1 #13 · Self-Destructing JPEG: Good Idea to Control Image Theft?
What website do you use? You say they are copied and saved can you stop that part of the equation? What's funny is my grandson would watch me edit pictures and see one he liked and snap it with his phone and be perfectly happy with it. Most people are happy to look at a picture on their phones tiny screen. One thing that made me smile a mother who was doing trophies for the coaches called me and said her iPhone picture of the team wouldn't enlarge to the size she wanted and was wondering if I had one. Made me smile for sure.
