PUBLISHING YOUR PRINTS ON THE INTERNET

Camellia A. Blackwell, Ph. D.

Is it time to show your prints on the Internet? Many artists are asking themselves this question. Certainly, every artist wants as much publicity as possible to acquire new exhibit opportunities, and promote and sell their art. Other questions are: Will my art be protected from unauthorized use? Is it possible to copyright images and ideas through the Internet? How is it done?

In a May 10, 1996 article published in The Washington Post newspaper entitled "Copyright Comes to the Internet" these questions are addressed in a general sense which presents significant implications for publishers of fine arts images. The article addresses the code word "cryptolope", the key technology behind a new service expected to allow publishers and writers to bring copyrighted works to the Internet. In Falls Church, VA, more than 200 IBM employees have launched infoMarket, whose cryptolope technology is leading to a new secured electronic commerce system that experts anticipate may boost what many consider the lack of published works available on the internet.

IBM is on e of a dozen companies over the past five years that have developed products which allow users to simultaneously browse databases for copyrighted works and retrieve and pay for documents through an electronic metering system.

Many publishers or artists have been wary of distributing their images and materials on the Internet because they did not have a way to monitor and bill customers for use of their information. The Internet also lacks copyright protection standards and rules for conducting electronic commerce, which includes showing and selling works of art and their concepts as well as other protected information.

Fears of privacy could impede growth in the billion dollar on -line professional business market. "Electronic information services" will reassure publishers that their content's value is maintained in a safe environment where purchases are secured. IBM says infoMarket will use the Internet and its graphical portion known as the World Wide Web which will allow users to get more information faster. This is how it is done:

· A user sets up a corporate account with IBM and loads the software that links them to the multiple indexed databases of more that 20,000 titles maintained by 32 publishers.

· The service can be reached with any Netscape or compatible browser along with an IBM helper application that users can download for free.

· A user initiates a search and when it is completed receives a list of related digital information. The user then gains entry to relevant material through a secure container called the cryptolope using special access codes. The cost of the material is then charged to the user's account. A user can pass on the information to other users but they cannot open document s unless they also have an account with infoMarket.

· The publisher determines the images of information to be put on the service, which IBM says, can easily be connected to its servers. Publisher also set prices for their content. IBM takes a percentage of the revenue generated from the information sold and acts a middleman of sorts, maintaining the content lists, tracking the images of information that is used, and passing along royalties.

· Another option to safeguard your work is the Watermark. If anyone downloads your work from the Internet, a large watermark will appear across the body of the work on the monitor. More information about watermarks can be obtained from Matt Laur at NorseCode Tel: 301-330-4306or www.NorseCode.com.

The cost of copyright compliance is much higher than the cost of "being ripped off". The likelihood of getting caught or catching the culprit is not high, yet the cost involved could be astronomical. Artist must decide if having their work seen over the Internet by thousands of people is worth more than the likelihood of the concept of their work being stolen. Keep in mind though that even at low resolutions, the concept of some works of art can be represented reasonably well.

Until congress passes legislation that protects copyrighted images and materials published on the Internet, be very careful to read the small print in any on-line publishing contract. Look for the clause that addresses "unauthorized use of your copyrighted images or materials that might be downloaded by an third parties and who may be held liable.