Digital Services and Copyright
Professionals such as Graphic Designers, Photographers, Digital Content Creators, etc. use watermarks or branding on their images and content to prevent clients from using their work without permission to use it (with or without accreditation) or paying for it.
“The robb'd that smiles, steals something from the thief; He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.” ― William Shakespeare, Othello.”
Even though you can still see the artwork clearly through these transparent watermarks some companies think that because they can download it they can freely use it in their marketing. This is incorrect!
How to Kill Your Reputation as a Business
Nothing hurts a brand's reputation more than telling the world that they are happy to use stolen goods! Essentially customers don’t do business with people who steal, because if they can steal from someone else, how long until they steal from them!?!? The creative can also sue for copyright infringement so it will end up costing the offender more in the long run than it would have cost them to simply pay for the work done.
If you don’t have the budget to pay a professional to create the content you need then there are a number of places that you can legally download free stock images or art that may be used with or without accreditation. These images and content can be used on your competitions, website, or social media and assist you until you do have the budget to have your own unique content and advertisements created.
As a creative, once you start to create your own original content it won’t be long until these thieves start to steal your images and content. Hence before you publish your work, ensure that you have branded it so that your customers clearly know it is yours until payment is made.
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