[game_preservation] Watermarks and Studio Communication

[Andrew Armstrong]

Oh, I noticed this on some random news feed. It is utterly ridiculous 
(and funny no doubt), but of course this might just be an indicator that 
someone at Capcom's American office doesn't know how to contact the 
Japan office! (bloody interns ;-) )

As for high quality unmarked copies (like, in PNG format not JPEG), it's 
a real issue. There isn't any good unwatermarked source for most of 
these marketing items a few years after release (this also can include 
preview screenshots, artwork, etc.). I'll be looking to source some for 
the Digital Game Canon website and the entries on there as a prototype 
to see if it's feasible for the IGDA to store them, or if there is any 
way to get them in the first place (perhaps the IGDA can get some 
contacts going to be sent marketing materials the same as press websites 
do and the preservation SIG can sort them).

I'm sure some marketing departments keep tons of archives of this kind 
of stuff, I just wish I knew how we could get at it! :-) IGN etc. are 
"okay" for some research, but the fact is, it's unworkable for anyone 
doing proper historical research or trying to reuse the images in any 
way, since copyright (somehow) gets in the way...funnily, IGN 
"watermarks" to protect their copyright, despite the images not being 
theirs in the first place.

Certainly the images would be better released under some less 
restrictive copyright (creative commons or somesuch), but permission is 
always a hassle, although I doubt anyone could sue for use of the 
original unmarked images anyway (marked ones at the very least, 
stupidly, might infringe trademark laws since IGN etc. plaster them with 
their logos).

Some sites don't watermark or downscale (or JPEG images, urg...) though, 
although I've not made a list.

Definitely a good whitepaper point at least!

Andrew

Captain Commando wrote:

> I recently blogged about the debacle of Capcom using an image 

> watermarked by IGN for the US Okami Wii box art. I think this is 

> something the IGDA Preservation SIG should be concerned with as it 

> seems to me if you're organized and have good communication between 

> studios, you're also able to preserve stuff better (and perhaps get a 

> better product?).

>

> http://deserthat.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/ign-watermarks-and-lack-of-studio-intercommunication/

>

> Another point to add to the White Paper?

>

> -DM

>

> -- 

> The sleep of Reason produces monsters.

>

> "Until next time..."

> Captain Commando

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