posted on July 5, 2001 02:14:23 PM
There is no sure way to prevent others from using your images.
One prevention method that hasn't really surfaced yet is a law suit- but this will have to wait until there is serious money involved or until someone is stupid enough to bring a suit and win the case but actually lose a ton of money in the process.
However, I think many people will learn after they consult an attorney that there is no originality to their scan or many of their digital images, and the image will not even rise to copyright protection.
If you're dealing with a smart one that took your image and you are a VERO member, you can get the auction cancelled for a while, but if they file a counter claim, unless you're willing to go to court, you're screwed. You'll also have to prove who actually " brought the work into being" if the other person disputes who the creator actually is.
There are many people who think that the "work" that went into making the image entitles them to a copyright. Sweat of the brow does not create a copyright- there must be a modicum of originality - the amount of "work" that went into the production is of no merit towards a copyright.
