To Watermark or Not To Watermark
This is what I struggle with. Okay, maybe struggle isn’t exactly the right word. Here’s the thing. I make porno movies, as you know. And I make them available for download to anyone in the world. And, as the culture is right now, these videos are then available for people to “share” online – illegally, of course. I don’t stress over that reality. There’s not much anyone can do about it and I really want more and more people to see what Good Dyke Porn™ looks like. So, from that perspective, it’s great. Plus, I subscribe to the notion that what you resist, persists. I just wanna get paid, is all.
So, I figure if people are going to be sharing the videos then I want to put a watermark of “GoodDykePorn.com” throughout the film so that when they do see it, and love it they will know where to find more and then hopefully choose to make a purchase. But, now I’m having second thoughts about that. I was watching some videos recently and the watermark is quite annoying. For the people who do purchase the clips or buy a membership they shouldn’t have to be distracted by the watermark.
Now I’m thinking I could put the logo at the beginning and the end of the clips so that the films are clearly identified as Good Dyke Porn™, but free from distracting watermarks throughout the rest of the video. Of course, someone could cut off the front and end slugs (that’s film lingo), but why would they? It they want to share then they just share. I don’t see much “stealing” of the ownership of images. And, that would be pretty easy to catch. But, I suppose it is possible. That’s not my main concern though.
After going back and forth over this, the thing that finally tipped me over the edge was the perspective that I don’t need to physically brand every single image that passes through Good Dyke Porn’s database. The sex that I capture on film isn’t “mine” per se. Except the scenes that I’m in. I’ve purchased the rights to the images so that I can run a business that shares these beautiful images with the world.
I want people to know where these films come from and I want this business to be able to continue to produce such beautiful films. And, perhaps that beauty can be completely unobstructed for your continual enjoyment. What do you think?
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Follow me on my journey as I figure it all out.
July 19th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Are you having problems with the entire videos being distributed, or just short bits? ‘Cause yes, I can see how paying for a membership and staring at a watermark can be annoying, but as someone who has downloaded many free clips before, I actually really like seeing the watermark. I like to know where my content is coming from and where I can find (and potentially pay for) more. My suggestion is to maybe have the watermark on the screen for the first while, and then slowly fade it out later in the film. If people are stealing short clips from you, then this may or may not make a difference. But if they’re sharing the whole thing, then this would be great! And purchasers shouldn’t be bothered by the temporary mark on their screen. Good Dyke Porn is the kind of company that you’re proud to support, and so you like seeing the logo being promoted. It’d be different if it said McDonald’s in the corner.
July 19th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Hey Spats,
Thanks for the feedback.
I’m not specifically having problems with people stealing clips or splitting up the video as far as I know. I just want to be prepared for that reality while maintaining quality content for everyone.
I like your idea of fading it out.
Maybe I’ll briefly pop it into the corner every so often.
Bren
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I tend to think that a watermark is fine and can be unobtrusive. This is where branding and a solid logo comes in to play: most television stations in the states carry a bug in the lower right of the screen at all times, except during ad runs. I think it’s valid, and then, it’s not cut off.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
I’m with PaveGrrl on using something subtle but identifiable. You do deserve to be paid for what you’re creating.
August 7th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Ya, I see all perspectives and I definitely want to have something identifiable, yet unobtrusive. That way people will know what they’re watching – if it just so happens to cross their computers – and they can also enjoy all the images without being distracted by the watermark.
Thanks!