eBay Photo Protection - watermarking

When adding a photo to an eBay listing, the site gives you the option of adding your own watermark. This watermark provides little to no protection for your photos. If you click on a photo within a listing that has an eBay generated watermark, the photo will open as an larger image in seperate window. You may then right click and "save picture as" for instance desktop icon. When you then click on this saved icon, photo will open with NO watermark.
Therefore, if you really want to protect images, I've found a way that's easiest for me. Let's say you have images for eBay use stored in a folder. When I click on one it is opened with "Windows Picture and Fax Viewer", then click on icon at far right (second to last from L to R) which "closes this program and opens image for editing". On left side of newly opened window there are several tools. Click on the "A". Now left click and use your curser on image to draw a box wherever you want your watermark. When you let off on the mouse button this area will turn white and the curser will be flashing at upper left within this area. Type your watermark and save changes and you're good to go!

they once had a copyright protection department

Originally Posted by Bear

they once had a copyright protection department

They still have a VeRO department/policy. However, my post is in regards to your own digital photos used to sell an item. Not many, if any sellers are going to go to the expense and time of obtaining a copyright for all their one time (most likely) use photos.

Originally Posted by Flinthills

if you really want to protect images, I've found a way that's easiest for me. Let's say you have images for eBay use stored in a folder. When I click on one it is opened with "Windows Picture and Fax Viewer", then click on icon at far right (second to last from L to R) which "closes this program and opens image for editing". On left side of newly opened window there are several tools. Click on the "A". Now left click and use your curser on image to draw a box wherever you want your watermark. When you let off on the mouse button this area will turn white and the curser will be flashing at upper left within this area. Type your watermark and save changes and you're good to go!

can you post a link or an example of the watermark you get using this method ?

Originally Posted by Flinthills

They still have a VeRO department/policy. However, my post is in regards to your own digital photos used to sell an item. Not many, if any sellers are going to go to the expense and time of obtaining a copyright for all their one time (most likely) use photos.

I believe you missed the whole point there man. Fact is, when you snap that shot, it's legally yours, in case you didn't know that. Every layer and every watermark on the planet will not stop anyone who decides they'll just take it, from doing so.
If you really wish to deter or inhibit those ones from re-using your photo, you might try resizing them, there actually is a thread about that somewhere here, titled something like "photo editing 101"

Originally Posted by Bear

I believe you missed the whole point there man. Fact is, when you snap that shot, it's legally yours, in case you didn't know that. Every layer and every watermark on the planet will not stop anyone who decides they'll just take it, from doing so.
If you really wish to deter or inhibit those ones from re-using your photo, you might try resizing them, there actually is a thread about that somewhere here, titled something like "photo editing 101"

You're absolutely correct. However, it's my belief that you'd be more likely to have a photo stolen with no watermark vs a watermarked photo that has to be edited. There's two vehicles of LKQ on the street. One has the keys in the ignition the other is locked. Which one will get stolen first the majority of the time?

Originally Posted by oldtoothlessbassmaster

can you post a link or an example of the watermark you get using this method ?

You'd just pick the color and style of font. Then type your eBay user ID. Of course, you can put as much time into it as you want. With the correct editing software the possibilities are endless.