Competitors pinching images our site

**Rich** · 27-10-2007, 17:02

Unfortunately, there's no absolute way of preventing image copying. However, you can discourage this by disabling the "right-click" function of the mouse on your site via JavaScript. As this can be a little restrictive, it's best to disable right-clicking on images only.

The following JavaScript example can be put in the Head Section field of your template (or it can be saved in a ".js" file and linked instead):

Code:

<script type="text/javascript">
var clickmessage = "Our images are protected"; 
function disableclick(e)
{
    if (document.all)
    {
        if (event.button == 2 || event.button == 3)
        {
            if (event.srcElement.tagName == "IMG")
            {
                alert(clickmessage);
                return false;
            }
        }
    }
    else if (document.layers)
    {
        if (e.which == 3)
        {
            alert(clickmessage);
            return false;
        }
    }
    else if (document.getElementById)
    {
        if (e.which == 3 && e.target.tagName == "IMG")
        {
            alert(clickmessage);
            return false;
        }
    }
}
function associateimages()
{
    for (i = 0; i < document.images.length; i++)
        document.images[i].onmousedown = disableclick;
}
if (document.all)
    document.onmousedown = disableclick;
else if (document.getElementById)
    document.onmouseup=disableclick;
else if (document.layers)
    associateimages();
</script>

If you were to put this in a separate file, let's say "disable.js", and upload it to your User directory (your root webspace), you would use the following instead:

Code:

<script type="text/javascript" src="/user/disable.js"></script>

If you save the first code example in a ".js" file, you should remove the <script></script> tags as they will not be needed. They are only required to surround the code if you're putting it directly into the <head></head> section (as opposed to linking from a file).

It won't stop a determined thief, but it's a step in the right direction!

**little-linguist** · 28-10-2007, 08:04

Thanks for the code Rich. Like you said, it won't stop the problem completely, but is certainly going to help scare off the less clued-up thief.

**TeamTorquesteer** · 31-10-2007, 10:56

Stupid question time Im afraid ......... where do you insert that code??

Thanks

Martin

**Rich** · 31-10-2007, 12:43

The Head Section field of your template is on the first tab in the Template Editor.

**TeamTorquesteer** · 31-10-2007, 13:12

Thanks Rich.

**Adva Trading** · 22-01-2008, 06:46

Another idea:

Get your images watermark with your website address or name.

**petad** · 22-01-2008, 10:29

Thanks for the tip Eran.

The water here is lovely, btw.

Pete

**little-linguist** · 22-01-2008, 20:32

Originally posted by Adva Trading

Another idea:

Get your images watermark with your website address or name.

The images "pinched" were watermarked!

We have a new problem now too- the same competitor is using our company name in his Meta (Title) tags. Does anyone know if this is illegal?

**petad** · 22-01-2008, 21:58

Originally posted by little-linguist

We have a new problem now too- the same competitor is using our company name in his Meta (Title) tags. Does anyone know if this is illegal?

My understanding is that this is definitely illegal, if you own the company name. I suggest send them a "Cease and Desist" order (either via yourselves, or preferably from your lawyer) and see how they respond.

**Adva Trading** · 23-01-2008, 08:48

Originally posted by little-linguist

The images "pinched" were watermarked!

Good. Now everybody that see the images will see your domain name.

Other than that, yes, get a lawer.

**entertaintoday** · 23-01-2008, 08:54

I don't think it is illegal to use other company names in meta tags - I know that Google adwords allow you to use competitor names to bring up paid ads, so can't really see the difference. I do think it should be banned, and I would like to point out that I have never done it!

**petad** · 23-01-2008, 15:16

It does seem to be a grey area - this is a link to an article where one company has sued another (in the States, admittedly) for using their name in meta tags:

415 Unsupported Media Type

http://www.lockergnome.com/web/2004/12/08/company-sued-for-including-competitors-name-in-meta-tags/

This following link is from the business insight service provided by Birmingham City Council about the use of competitors' names, in which they do say

"The deceptive use of another company's trademark in these or similar ways can result in a successful trademark infringement lawsuit, leading to an award of financial damages."

http://www.creativeinsightuk.com/CINOTES/MetaTags.htm

Of course, a Trademark is more significant than a company name, which is more difficult to protect.

I'd still report it to Google as an infringement of good practice, and see what they say.

Pete

**Mike** · 23-01-2008, 16:35

I know that you might expect that by a competitor using your name it may divert some potential business to them but surely all they are really doing is spending their money advertising your business!

**petad** · 23-01-2008, 16:58

Originally posted by Mike

I know that you might expect that by a competitor using your name it may divert some potential business to them but surely all they are really doing is spending their money advertising your business!

Hi Mike

Because the meta tags are invisible to the searching public, they are not promoting your name, simply redirecting people looking for you to their site, where they could potentially end up buying your competitors product rather than the one they first set out to find.

Pete

Competitors pinching images our site

Competitors pinching images our site

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