Best Practices Digital Asset Guidelines Rev 4 www.autocare.org | www.autocarevip.com | technology@autocare.org 57 Appendix E: Image Protection, Copyright and Ownership The issues regarding the protection, copyright, and ownership of images as they are traded throughout the supply chain is a concern to both the creator of the images and the trading partner who is using the images. The main area of concern is the use of the images for electronic purposes online catalogs, Extranets, and e-commerce sites. Images published online are vulnerable to misappropriation. The image creator (the supplier) requires an assurance that their images are being reasonably protected while in use by their trading partners against theft and misuse. The receivers of the images (the retailers and eCat providers) require the flexibility to use the images in various marketing capacities in order to maximize their ability to sell parts. The following are the workgroup recommendations regarding image protection, copyright, and ownership Image Protection: This issue involves protecting the creator’s images while they are in use by the trading partner for both print and electronic purposes. o Image Watermarks: The majority of retailers and eCat providers feel that watermarks are a distraction to the viewer of the image and should, therefore, not be used. Although, in certain cases trading partners will accept watermarked images. It is recommended that before watermarks are applied each trading partner’s policy regarding this issue is reviewed. o Intended Image Use: All retailers and eCat providers are using the images for the purpose of selling more of the right parts to the right customers. The workgroup consensus is that the image receivers will protect the images electronically to the best of their ability and they will discontinue using the images if the image creator no longer supplies the parts that the images represent to the trading partner. o Legal Agreements: Some retailers and eCat providers are prepared to enter into legal agreements with the image creators addressing the use, protection, and ownership of the images. The image creators should check with their trading partners to discuss possible legal agreements that protect the image creator’s asset (the images). Ownership and Copyright: This issue addresses image copyright and ownership: The issue of copyright and ownership involves determining whether or not the creator of the images owns the copyright to the images after they have been distributed to supply chain trading partners. In other words, does the copyright of the image transfer to the trading partner or is it retained by the image
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