Case Study: Protecting Image Copyrights

Concerned about copyright infringements affecting your images? Check our case study on protecting image copyrights and if you like what you see let’s connect and explore tailored strategies that have benefitted brands like yours. By working together, we can devise a focused strategy to defend your digital copyrights and reinforce your brand’s integrity.

Background

A client approached us with a significant concern: their copyrighted images were being used across various websites without proper licensing or permission. The client’s primary goal was to identify and address these infringements efficiently. 

Problem Statement

The widespread unauthorized use of copyrighted images on the internet poses a significant challenge for creators and rights holders. Our client faced this problem when their copyrighted images were used without their permission on multiple online platforms. Such unauthorized use not only breaks copyright laws but also limits the rightful owners’ ability to earn from and control their intellectual property.

Objective

The primary objective was to develop a comprehensive strategy to identify and document the unauthorized use of the client’s images across various websites. This involved:

1. Scraping the Web: Employing automated tools to scan, identify, and scrape websites using the client’s images without permission.
2. Documentation: Collecting evidence of unauthorized use, including screenshots, URLs, source codes, and dates of infringement.

Solution & Technology

Our approach combined advanced web scraping technologies with taking a meticulous approach to documentation and reporting. We executed the project in phases:

1. Identification: Developed custom web scraping tools tailored to recognize the client’s copyrighted images across the internet, using reverse image search technology and digital fingerprinting. Our evidence collection engine is equipped with sophisticated tools capable of navigating various anti-bot and anti-scraping measures. It can perform user actions to ensure images are displayed correctly on pages. The search engine supports a broad range of image resolutions and file extensions.
2. Data & Images collection: The evidence collected includes: screenshots of the images within the browser, images of the webpage where the image is used, the source codes of the webpages, and the images in respective formats. If the evidence comes from a Google search result, the Google image is captured and stored as well. For each Google search result, images are cross-referenced against an internal database, with matches highlighted as evidence. Initially, we utilized the LIRE library for image searches, but have since transitioned to using the TinEye service. For image comparison, we employ ImageMagick, which calculates the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the differences between pixel values of two images. A lower RMSE value indicates a higher similarity between images.
3. Validation and Documentation: Evidence images undergo a validation process to confirm their authenticity. This involves comparing certain image segments and their dimensions. The process is refined to, among other improvements, detect signs of an image failing to load properly. Additionally, each image is examined to confirm it is not a monochrome image. Our validation process is compatible with a wide array of image extensions and uses several image software tools. For every infringement detected, our team documents evidence in the form of a screenshot of the targeted website page, specified image, corresponding links, and a source code of the website.
4. Reporting: Detailed reports of infringements are created. The reporting documents are built using different templates depending on the scenario used. Each scenario has a different type and number of images collected and documented. During the process, an SQL query retrieves data from the database, checks for image availability, and selects one of the templates based on the number of images available. After generating a PDF, it writes a record (or records) into a CSV. Once all PDFs are created, the data is packaged into zips and copied to a web server for testing. After successful testing, the files are being uploaded to clients’ storage. The final report includes a step-by-step explanation of the process. This meticulous documentation ensures that the client has all the necessary information for legal follow-up and enforcement actions.

Results

The campaign yielded substantial results, marked by a thorough and well-documented approach:

• Increased Compliance: A significant reduction in unauthorized image use across targeted websites, backed by detailed documentation of each infringement.
• Revenue Recovery: Negotiated licensing fees with entities interested in legally using the client’s images, generating previously lost revenue. The detailed documentation and reporting streamlined the negotiation process by providing clear evidence of unauthorized use.
• Brand Protection: Enhanced control over the distribution of the client’s digital assets, protecting their brand integrity and value. The comprehensive documentation and reporting process ensured that the client was well-prepared for legal action to enforce their copyright.

Strategic Partnership: A Blueprint for Copyright Protection Success

This case study highlights the effectiveness of leveraging technology in tandem with our client’s strategic legal efforts to protect digital copyrights. By focusing on the technological aspect, we addressed the immediate issue of unauthorized image use, while our client took charge of legal enforcement actions. This collaborative approach, pairing our expertise in technology with the client’s legal strategies, led to optimal outcomes, showcasing the strengths of clear communication and comprehensive documentation in ensuring copyright protection.

To learn more about how we can assist you in protecting image copyrights and maintaining control over your digital assets, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Take proactive steps towards safeguarding your intellectual property today, and let us be your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of image copyright protection.