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Metadata & Licensing

Metadata


Metadata provides a way to protect copyright of digital imagery by embedding ownership and contact information directly into digital artwork files.

At the 2008 annual meeting held in Indianapolis, the AMI Board of Governors approved publication of the AMI Metadata Whitepaper. The paper is a call to action for the medical illustration profession to immediately adopt metadata-embedding practices to help protect copyright and reduce potential orphaning of digital imagery. By embedding all critical ownership and contact information directly into the digital file, metadata facilitates and encourages respect for the rights of creators and rights holders.

Orphan Works legislation comes at a time when there is already immense pressure on artists, as copyright holders, to protect their intellectual property due to the digitization and online distribution of their images. Other visual artists organizations (e.g., ASMP, SAA, and IPA) are advising their members how to protect their copyright and avoid potential orphaning.

A recent Stock Artists Alliance (SAA) member survey found that over 80% of stock and news photographers regularly embed metadata in their image files. In contrast, a recent AMI member survey found that only 18% of medical illustrators regularly and 60% never embed metadata in their image files. In general, illustrators are woefully behind photographers in embracing standard metadata business practices.

In short, the white paper calls upon medical/scientific illustrators and animators to:

  1. Embed critical copyright and contact metadata into your digital files
  2. Place a visible copyright mark on your published work and watermark your online portfolios
  3. Sign your work legibly with full name (not initials)
  4. Register your work with the copyright office
  5. Register yourself with online artist registries and keep your contact information up to date

Within the white paper are detailed instructions on how to create metadata templates and how to apply contact, copyright, and licensing metadata using the File Info in Adobe CS applications, e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat and Bridge.

To learn more about metadata, please visit www.photometadata.org.

Picture Licensing Universal System (PLUS)


ImagePicture Licensing Universal System (PLUS) is a system designed to simplify and facilitate the communication and management of image rights. It defines licensing language and provides a foundation for building and managing license data.

Progress is being made within the global visual arts industry to standardize licensing models through digital rights management. On November 1, 2006 the PLUS Image Licensing Standards were approved for worldwide use by all industries involved in creating, distributing and using images.

The PLUS Coalition (Picture Licensing Universal System) seeks to balance the needs of image licensors with the interests of visual art rights-holders. The Licensing Metadata Panel Suite is capable of sophisticated functionality. The panels include full licensing vocabularies and allow the input and display of multiple layers of metadata representing multiple media uses associated with a single license.

The PLUS System does not standardize fees or pricing. Nor does it create rigid forms or contracts. It is purely a system to define licensing language and provide a foundation for building and managing license data. Browse the Picture Licensing Glossary and learn more about Plus Packs at www.useplus.com.

PLUS receives significant support from Microsoft, Adobe, Pentagram, Jupiterimages, Adbase, Belay Development, Digimarc, Digital Railroad, ImageSpan, IPN, IPTC, Photo District News, PhotoServe, Poundhill Software, StockPhotoFinder, and Wong Doody.

Numerous trade associations serve as members of the Advisory Council including the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), Graphic Artists Guild (GAG), The Association of Illustrators (AOI), Association of Photographers (AOP), Professional Photographers of America (PPA), and Illustrators' Partnership of America (IPA).

These advances in digital licensing and metadata use will positively affect visual artists' ability to manage and protect their copyrights. It will affect the niche of medical illustration and require our participation and support to help develop the relevant metadata panels for our profession. We encourage all AMI members to stay informed of these changes.

Another resource for information on licensing is the SAA (Stock Artists Alliance)