Copy Prevention

[daveshore]

I'm building a website for a small fine art gallery. They, as you would expect, want to show images of some of the works of art that they have for sale. Is there any way in which I can prevent people from printing or copying these images? If not, what are the best alternatives open to me?

Thanks,
Dave Shore

[racefan20]

Re: Copy Prevention

You'll never prevent people copying the images, so your best bet is to watermark the images with some text stating where they came from.

[sandysewin]

Re: Copy Prevention

I came across some code which I put into my EBay auctions. It works like a charm. When people try to right-click they get an error sound and a message box, "Photos Property of SandySewin!"

I'm not sure if it matters where you insert it in BV. I know some basic html but I'm very new to this website building stuff. Hope someone finds it helpful.

The code below was given to me to share. Be sure to insert your own info in the RED area.

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript1.1">
function right(e) {
if (navigator.appName == 'Netscape' &&
(e.which == 3 || e.which == 2))
return false;
else if (navigator.appName == 'Microsoft Internet Explorer' &&
(event.button == 2 || event.button == 3)) {
alert("Photos Property of Sandysewin!");
return false;
}
return true;
}
document.onmousedown=right;
document.onmouseup=right;
if (document.layers) window.captureEvents(Event.MOUSEDOWN);
if (document.layers) window.captureEvents(Event.MOUSEUP);
window.onmousedown=right;
window.onmouseup=right;
// End -->
</script>

[sandysewin]

Re: Copy Prevention

Of course now that I've posted that, I've found another perspective on the matter:

http://www.vodahost.com/vodatalk/pre-sales-forum/3798-photo-gallery.html?highlight=images

He makes some very good points. I guess one must think about what is most important.

Good luck!

Sandy

[navaldesign]

Re: Copy Prevention

I came across some code which I put into my EBay auctions. It works like a charm. When people try to right-click they get an error sound and a message box, "Photos Property of SandySewin!"

I'm not sure if it matters where you insert it in BV. I know some basic html but I'm very new to this website building stuff. Hope someone finds it helpful.

The code below was given to me to share. Be sure to insert your own info in the RED area.

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript1.1">
function right(e) {
if (navigator.appName == 'Netscape' &&
(e.which == 3 || e.which == 2))
return false;
else if (navigator.appName == 'Microsoft Internet Explorer' &&
(event.button == 2 || event.button == 3)) {
alert("Photos Property of Sandysewin!");
return false;
}
return true;
}
document.onmousedown=right;
document.onmouseup=right;
if (document.layers) window.captureEvents(Event.MOUSEDOWN);
if (document.layers) window.captureEvents(Event.MOUSEUP);
window.onmousedown=right;
window.onmouseup=right;
// End -->
</script>

If however somebody desides to use the script, go in page html, click "Between Head" tag and paste it in the window

[daveshore]

Re: Copy Prevention

Thanks to sandysewin & navaldesign - the code works well. Clearly it doesn't prevent people from printing the page from their browser, and I assume screen capture programs will still be able to "pinch" stuff, but it certainly stops the right-mouse clickers in their tracks!

If anyone comes up with a way of tightening the protection further please let me know.

Regards,
Dave

[daveshore]

Re: Copy Prevention

OK Folks,
Back to the drawing board. I just completed my testing and, yes the right mouse doesn't work - BUT the even simpler way for people to "pinch" stuff still does work. All the user has to do is hover the mouse over the picture and good old Microsoft (in their infinite wisdom) display a small box to allow them to Save, Print or Email the image!!!! You would think with all Microsofts concerns over security, they might at least spare a thought for those of us trying to protect our own work!!

Oh well, I'll have to investigate further.

Regards,
Dave

[daveshore]

Re: Copy Prevention

OK, the "mouse hover" feature that displays a menu box was introduced in IE 6.0 and so the script below has been over-ridden by this, although the script does still disable the right-mouse function. To disable this newer feature all you need to do is add the following line of code immediately before the script:

<META HTTP-EQUIV="imagetoolbar" CONTENT="no">

This then prevents the mouse hover menu from working!!

You still cannot prevent the browser print button from working, but if you place copyright notices on the page then these will print out with the screen print. I assume that screen capture "experts" will still be able to copy our stuff, but at least we can stop the rest!!

The site that I have used the code on is:

http://www.harrisonlord.com

Regards,
Dave