[game_preservation] Watermarks and Studio Communication

[Captain Commando]

I have started to realize that watermarking is really a bad idea. Sure, it
tells you where the image came from without having to check the metadata,
but all it does is ruin an otherwise nice image. For this reason, I am
starting to turn to the idea of uploading future high-res images to the
Metroid Database without watermarks and possibly eventually converting some
older images over and using Creative Commons when possible. I'm not sure if
this is something we should be worried about (watermarking) but I know I'd
prefer to have images without it in my own collection. Goodness knows we
already get more hits than any other fan site out there anyway.

-DM

On Mon, Apr 21, 2008 at 10:26 AM, Simon Carless <simon at archive.org> wrote:


> In more recent history, GamesPress:

>

> http://www.gamespress.co.uk/

>

> ...is an excellent source for unwatermarked assets. I believe you need to

> pay a minor amount for full asset access, though. And you have to be a

> journo to use it at all.

>

> s!

>

>

> On Mon, Apr 21, 2008 at 9:13 AM, Andrew Armstrong <andrew at aarmstrong.org>

> wrote:

>

> >  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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> >

> >

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> >

>

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>



-- 
The sleep of Reason produces monsters.

"Until next time..."
Captain Commando
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