# Piracy-Preventing Photo Programs The Exif Tool Prevents People from Using Imagery without Rights By Joey Haar | Published 2017-04-27 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exif-tool References: [theverge](http://www.theverge.com/2017/4/27/15451624/exif-embed-smart-digital-photo-watermarking-tool) & [exif.co](https://www.exif.co/) The internet has proven a difficult domain for protecting one's copyright on pictures because of how easy it is to download or screenshot images, but the Exif tool offers a foolproof alternative to traditional methods like watermarks. The tool applies a system similar to popular video services like [YouTube](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/subtitleme) and [Vimeo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surfast-video-downloader) in which images can only be shared through embedding. When embedding a photo into one's webpage using the Exif tool, that image will automatically get a small 'i' in the top left corner. This accredits the image with the photographer's name as well as other pertinent information (like their [Instagram](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instagram-10) account or the client for whom the photo was originally shot.) And if users try to download the image without permission, black box called a "smart watermark" automatically pops up with a link to that photographer's Exif page. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 65% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/photography) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Piracy-preventing Photo Programs:** The Exif tool is a foolproof alternative to traditional watermarking to prevent copyright infringement. - **Embedded Photo Shares:** The Exif tool employs a system similar to popular video services like YouTube and Vimeo in which images can only be shared through embedding, creating potential opportunities for content-sharing platforms to integrate similar features. - **Smart Watermark Technology:** The Exif tool's 'smart watermark' feature could inspire further innovation in watermarked image protection technologies. ### Where This Applies - **Photography:** The photography industry could benefit from implementing Exif tools in order to safeguard copyrighted images online. - **Online Content-sharing Platforms:** Content-sharing platforms, especially those focused on photography or visual media, could adopt the Exif tool's embedded photo sharing feature to bolster user privacy and protect content creators from infringement. - **Cybersecurity:** The Exif tool's approach to image protection could be applied to other forms of online media, leading to innovative cybersecurity solutions beyond image protection. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Copyright-Free Image Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-more-copyright.md) - [Copyright Protection Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/etsy-sellers1.md) - [Photo Location Finders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/findpiclocation.md) - [Verified Work Documentation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/timemark-camera.md) - [AI Image Watermarking Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-deepmind.md) - [Protective Digital Art Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nightshade.md) - [Modern Photographer Organization Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/picflow-platform.md) - [Intellectual Property-Protecting Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insert-watermark.md) - [AI Photo Extenders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-image-extender-tool.md)