Question
This has never happened to me before - just got an Ask Seller a Question e-mail from a trading assistant (part of ID), and they want to know if they can use my pictures on a recently closed auction, and they will pay me $10.00 via Paypal for the privilege.
Um, how would that work? I'm disinclined to go for it, because the item I sold was a signed, limited edition collectible (Set of LE eBay Live Pin Parades), that has a picture of my COA, stating it was 65 out of 250.
Is it possible to link to my pics, which for this auction were done through Ipix?
How could I be sure that they won't use my pics for a scam?
Is this done on a regular basis? Or am I missing something?
TIA!
Answer
At first I thought, wow, they asked beforehand?? Then I see your item was basically OOAK ... so I tend to think along the lines of scam as well. It's good policy in today's world to mistrust those too good to be true thangs ....
Maybe you could question them a little more if inclined to be curious. If not and your auction is over, are you able to remove the pic in any way or is that beyond your control?
Answer
That's kind of what I'm wondering - the pics AFAIK, reside on my hard drive, and were hosted with Ipix. Other than deleting them from my hard drive, I'm not sure how to prevent linking or if its even possible.
Maybe I'm just being paranoid?
Answer
Deb, there isn't much you can do. They can right click on the photos in the listing and download them to their own computer anytime before Ipix deletes them.
About the only thing I can think of is to send them an email declining their offer. Then if you discover they used them anyway, you can have eBay shut their auction down.
Answer
Crud! Well, I was afraid of that, guess I'll just have to keep an eye out on her auctions!
Answer
THIS SCRIPT IS
NOT FOOL-PROOF !!
This script is *NOT* fool-proof. People can disable JavaScript support in their browser, use a browser which doesn't support JavaScript, or use a browser to link directly to the image that you want to protect. Also the pages and images are normally stored in the user's browser cache (for viewing later whilst offline) - with a little bit of work, the thief could find your image in their cache. It also doesn't stop users accessing the source of your page from the toolbar menus (View | Page Source). You could attempt to load your page into a window without toolbars - but again this isn't fool-proof. They can access the page directly, with toolbars, instead of opening it without them as you intended. There is a tool for Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 that will encrypt JScript code - but this is only supported by Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 - and will not allow the scripts to run on any other browser.
Bearing this in mind, the following script should stop right clicks (and left button held down, followed by a right click) in both Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. It will not stop users who use a Mac - where the mouse only has one button.
If this script doesn't do what you require (i.e. protect your images and or your scripts) then don't use it and don't put your images/scripts on the net. If your livelihood relies on people not copying your images - then add a water mark or "sample" stamp to your images.
<!-- TWO STEPS TO INSTALL NO RIGHT CLICK:
1. Copy the coding into the HEAD of your HTML document
2. Add the last code into the BODY of your HTML document -->
<!-- STEP ONE: Paste this code into the HEAD of your HTML document -->
<HEAD>
******** LANGUAGE="JavaScript1.1">
<!-- Original: Martin Webb (martin*irt.org) -->
<!-- This script and many more are available free online at -->
<!-- The JavaScript Source!! http://javascript.internet.com -->
<!-- Begin
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("Sorry, you do not have permission to right click.");
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>
</HEAD>
<!-- STEP TWO: Copy this code into the BODY of your HTML document -->
******>
<center>[ Try right-clicking the image and then the text link below ]
<p>
<img src="http://javascript.internet.com/img/tjsbutton.gif">
<p>
<a href="<A href="http://javascript.internet.com">Text">http://javascript.internet.com">Text Link</a>
<p><center>
<font face="arial, helvetica" size="-2">Free JavaScripts provided<br>
by <a href="<A href="http://javascriptsource.com">The">http://javascriptsource.com">The JavaScript Source</a></font>
</center><p><!-- Script Size: 1.57 KB -->
Answer
A problem disabling right click: How many times when looking at a sellers auctions have you right clicked to open the link to what else the seller is selling in a new window? I know I do it that way. I stopped using that b/c I noticed I didn't have many bidders buying multiple items anymore.
Answer
If I right click on an auction and they have disabled my right mouse click, I leave without looking further and without bidding..
I have a custom context menu for my right mouse button that enables me to do all kinds of stuff..
For example:
If someone is selling an antique I'm interested in, but I need additional information, I can right click and do an instant search off the page without having to type in what the item is.
-Jim
Answer
Trying to get eBay to enforce a copyright violation is impossible. The last time I tried, they asked me to prove ownership and first use of the picture. Suuuuure.
Now I have my eBay ID in red letters accross each picture. Never affected my sales and nobody ever complained. There isn't much you can do to prevent them from stealing your picture.
Even with right click disabled, I can get any image. All you have to do is view the source of the page with Notepad, find the image in the HTML and copy the picture URL into your browser. Bingo, there's the picture.
Answer
i do tend agree with you jim but it is one option for people who are protective of their things