Tracking down copied graphics

[photon]

There have been several techniques discussed to help find web sites that contained stolen content--Google alerts, Copyscape, etc. But those only work for text. Are there any ways to search for sites that may have "borrowed" your graphics?

[Larryhat]

Hello Photon: This is one of my biggest problems. I have 20 years of work behind me making specialized maps, and those are prime targets. FWIW (probably not much) here is what I do:

1) I tediously look thru my ACCESS_LOG files for deep linked .gif and .jpg images. My host makes that easier by providing daily files. I have some fun file-swapping at times ..

2) I will do Google Image Searches. Not much help any more, results are seldom updated.

3) I search G and Y and MSN with very selectively chosen search terms like XXX Map/maps and other giveaway keywords. Usually I just find people recommending my work, but sometimes ...

If anyone has items 4, 5 and so on, I'm all ears as well. I've never found the silver bullet.

best - Larry

[yosemite]

This has been a big problem for me too. I changed hosts to one that allowed me to block other people from hotlinking my images. That helps. But I know that many people just steal my graphics and re-publish. Can't do much other than keep looking.

[photon]

But where do you look?

[Rosalind]

You can search for the individual filename, in case it hasn't been altered. Other than that there's not an awful lot you can do except keep a close eye out on related websites.

[tomda]

No 4 or 5?

Just the same as you and I keep searching on Google.
If you are willing to pay, there are software who can tag your pic.

Also, I always put numerous tiny logos and DNS name on my maps, I am sure this help

[photon]

I've considered using steganography [google.com] to "implant" identifying information into my images (as opposed to visible watermarking). But I'm sure that wouldn't show in a search since it would be part of the binary info. But at least if I found someone else using my images I could prove that they're mine.

I know that if I was going to copy someone else's images, I'd change the file names first thing. But I guess it's always the stupid thieves that are the easiest to find.

[BigDave]

But I guess it's always the stupid thieves that are the easiest to find.

Stupid, ignorant (of the law) or lazy are all likely not to put too much effort into hiding what they have done and should be relatively easy to find. In those cases a friendly C&D is really the way to go.

Crooked people on the other hand are a lot more of a problem, and should be dealt with more severly.