Digital Piracy

Digital Piracy and How to Slow the Storm

Piracy and copycats have always been a problem since the dawn of inventions and commerce. It seems like pirates always find a way. The digital age of the internet and publishing images have made this an at-home reality for quite a few artists. You run a Kickstarter and later find your work being sold on Amazon or from an overseas supplier. It’s frustrating but what can you do to protect yourself?

The short answer is nothing. The longer version of that answer is you can make it extremely tough on the pirates to clone your work and thereby deter them into finding an easier target. So how do you begin to protect yourself? There is always filing a DMCA notice and that could work for you. But let us stack those odds in your favor better.
Steps to Protect Your Artwork:

Know your manufacturer:
Finding a vetted and trusted manufacturer overseas may require the use of a middleman or broker and paying a bit more for the item. But a vetted supply chain can stop an unscrupulous manufacturer from stealing your work.

Protect your artwork:
Before sending off your artwork to someone or publishing it online, there are a few very simple steps you can take to protect your property. If you’re uploading to an e-commerce page such as Etsy, Amazon, or eBay use low-resolution images. They may not look the best, but they won’t look good to a thief either. Use watermarks on your image files. Place a watermark with your website, social media info, or contact info directly over the image before you finalize the file. Incorporate it into the final layer so anyone trying to remove that layer will end up with a noticeably altered image. By placing your mark over an image, if the file is stolen you will easily be able to identify your work. This will make it easier to report copyright or DMCA violations to get that person shut down.

Sharing your artwork files:
If you’re sending an artwork you did for someone and have yet to be paid for it, put it on a proof sheet that has all your contact info on it, use a low-resolution image, and watermark the image. Only send them ready-to-use files with a watermark removed once you’ve been paid in full. If they use your watermarked image or attempt to make others print it they will quickly have pointed out to them they don’t own the works.

Funding platforms:
If you’re using Kickstarter you can always put the Kickstarter link as your watermark across the image. The same goes for Etsy, Amazon, or any other online commerce profile. Much of the artwork that gets stolen for use by pirates comes from these sources. They look for easy targets. Don’t be an easy target.

Know your recourse actions:
Know the piracy policies in the terms of service for every platform you’re using your work on. It’s a good idea to print a copy and highlight the parts that apply to you for quick reference later. Keep your uploads within their policies and guidelines and any reports you file to those platforms should be easier on them to decide in your favor.

Your rights:
Depending on where you live you should look up the laws that protect your works in that area. Research the DMCA and see where it applies to you. Find other case law in your place of residence that can back you up should you need to send legal notices out to the pirates. Track all the websites you find your work on. Often times even if they appear to be different pirates, they are all controlled by one.

These steps are just some simple suggestions and overall good business practices. There are many other steps you can take to protect yourself but those will require time and research on your part. As a creator of works you should not only invest in your product, but also in the knowledge of how things work around the business you’re in and what protections you have. The time investment on your part to keep learning and adapting is worth far more than the projects you’re doing right now and will help to ensure that all future projects stay under your control.

Huber Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mark Bruns and Emunah Graphic President Michael Cohen

Huber Heights Chamber of Commerce (April-May 2017) - In the Chamber with Emunah Graphics

 

In the Chamber is a bimonthly series where we raise awareness for the local chamber of commerce's and what events are upcoming in our areas. The Huber Heights Chamber of Commerce provides area businesses with an alliance to the other area chambers as well as networking and event opportunities. Becoming a member of a local chamber benefits your business as well as the local community by showing your commitment to consumers in your neighborhood.

The Huber Heights Area Chamber of Commerce has sponsorship opportunities available. For more information on upcoming meetings and events you can participate in, or membership, please see the Chamber's website listed below.

Huber Heights Chamber of Commerce Website

Northmont Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Cath Hutton and Emunah Graphic President Michael Cohen

Northmont Chamber of Commerce (April-May 2017) - In the Chamber with Emunah Graphics


In the Chamber is a bimonthly series where we raise awareness for the local chamber of commerce's and what events are upcoming in our areas. The Northmont Area Chamber of Commerce provides area businesses with an alliance to the other area chambers as well as networking and event opportunities. Becoming a member of a local chamber benefits your business as well as the local community by showing your commitment to consumers in your neighborhood.

The Northmont Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating it's 40th year this month and could not have done so without the support of local businesses and the community. For more information on upcoming meetings and events you can participate in, or membership, please see the Chamber's website listed below.

Northmont Area Chamber of Commerce Website

rapid fired ribbon cutting

Rapid Fired Pizza - Grand Opening

 

The Rapid Fired Pizza in Englewood had already been open a short time before their ribbon cutting ceremony. They were testing the waters of our area to see how our appetites fared for their pizza. Apparently we can't get enough of Rapid Fired Pizza! Their lines have been out the door since they opened attracting the hungry and the curious. Rapid Fired Pizza is built on the concept of excellent quality pizza in around three minutes. They offer an 11 inch thin or 9 inch pan. You can get a specialty pizza or build your own all for the same price.

I was fortunate to be able to talk to four of the founders of Rapid Fired Pizza to get a sense of what this new franchise meant for the Northmont area. I can attest to the good pizza as we tried several later that day. Give the video a watch to see what the founders have to say. They're community minded, nice gentlemen, who want to be successful in Englewood in order to keep jobs here.

Beauty and the Beast

Storybrooke Cafe - Belle's Enchanted Evening

There was nothing more magical that evening than being the guest of Storybrooke Café in Englewood, OH. The castle was all lit up to receive guests, sparkling lights hung from the ceiling, flower petals adorned the ground, and a red carpet was laid out to receive the Princesses. A table was laid out with food fit for royals and the reception just needed its guests.

All the Princesses knew they would be greeted by Belle upon their arrival. The big secret was the Beast. He was to be there as well.

This event was put on by Natalie Lowry, owner of the Storybrooke Café. Around a dozen little girls and their family attended this Beauty and the Beast themed event. It included photos with Belle and Beast, food, magical blue punch, lots of sugary treats, dancing, and a night these little girls would remember for a long time to come.

I volunteered to play the Beast for the evening. I already had the costume and figured it would be a nice surprise for the children who weren’t expecting me. I match the costume so to a bunch of kids I’m convincing. I got to hear all about how some of them saw our movie that weekend. I was assured by several little princesses that I, as the Beast, was their favorite part of the movie.

I dined on a few baby carrots to convince some of the little princesses that even the Beast ate his vegetables too. I answered all the questions only the Beast would know the answers to. Belle and I made magic together that night in the form of putting smiles onto children’s faces. I think some of that magic rubbed off on the adults too as I saw all of them smiling as well.

I had just as much fun as everyone else there did that night. I enjoy contributing to the laughter and happiness of children. Volunteering my time for another local business to support them is something I feel honored to be allowed to do. A special thank you to Natalie for allowing me the chance to help out. I look forward to being back at Storybrooke Café many more times in the future.

For more information on Storybrooke Café find them on the web HERE.

Keagan with the Miami Valley Young Marines

Miami Valley Young Marines - Open House



It would have been just another Wednesday for my wife and I had I not met Keagan Miller of the Miami Valley Young Marines at a Huber Heights Chamber of Commerce meeting. Keagan had invited us to attend one of their open houses. I had no idea what The Young Marines were so I accepted. The open house was this evening and Elizabeth and I had no idea what to expect.

The Young Marines are located at 6161 Chambersburg Rd in Huber Height in the basement of the St. Peter Catholic Church. When we arrived we found uniformed children in camouflage sporting a flag and standing in formation. It looked like a well behaved honor guard. It was certainly an impressive sight to see upon ones arrival.

In the basement we were directed to an area of tables where Keagan was busy giving a presentation via projector to a group of hopeful recruits and their parents. Young boys and girls sat there quietly, excited, watching the power point and listening to what was being said. I could feel their excitement at the idea of them becoming members. The Young Marines were offering them a chance to camp out survivor style, learn how to march, shoot pellet guns, and help out Veterans as some of what was being said. Keagan spoke in great detail about their Drug Reduction Program and Veteran aid programs.

The Young Marines program is not a recruitment program for the military in any such way. It’s more of a mixed gender Boy Scouts group meets ROTC stepped up a few notches. What the Young Marines program definitely provides is a way for youth, ages 8 to 18, to learn confidence building skills and self-reliance like no other program out there. Their boot camp is not a “scared straight” program like you see on television. Their program is designed to get the youth to learn and build up their own self-confidence through tough activities and by letting them make a visible impact in their own community. The Young Marines stresses to their members that the key to a productive and self-confident life is the absence of drugs from it. Oh, and be prepared for homework. The Young Marines sends their members home with homework as part of their training. Parents are expected to be involved in the training process as well by insuring that their workbooks and assignments get completed. Playing hooky isn’t much of an option either as the youths are expected to keep up and progress with their fellow members. While only allowing for missing a few days in a given period, I see this as a way to teach proper attendance and how to power through the tougher things in life to accomplish goals.

After sitting through Keagan’s presentation, along with speaking to Mr. Girard, I was ready to sign up myself. Elizabeth was equally as impressed with what this group has to offer youths. Since I’m too old for a yellow recruit shirt I offered to help keep an eye on the kids at the range instead.

Emunah Graphics Convention Booth

Emunah Graphics Goes Mobile

On November 26, 2016 Emunah Graphics participated in the Annual Northmont Neighbors Helping Neighbors Vendor Fair.

We shared information about the services we offer the community and many of the small business in the area.

For individuals we offer wedding, birthday, and special occasion invitation design.
Emunah Graphics is equipped with in-house made templates to choose from and the option for a full custom design for something more special and personalized.

Emunah Graphics Logo

A Letter from the Owner

Emunah in Hebrew

Emunah (pronounced: em-oo-naw)

 

Emunah is the Hebrew word generally translated to mean Faith.

Faith is a big part of any community. In order to be a community you must have it in your neighbors, your personal values, your community leaders, and the businesses that operate in your community. Without faith in what resources are around you there would be none.

Emunah Graphics was founded with that faith in mind. We want to be the local driving force to help other small businesses survive by offering affordable services to them. We recognize that not everyone is a business and that there are individuals in a community. This is why we offer wedding invitation services, funeral programs, special event invitations, and all sorts of non-business related services.

We take our faith in the community one step further by offering discounted services to Veterans, active Military, first responders, non-profits, and help groups. We do this as a thank you to those that help our community thrive. Without you, we wouldn’t be here either.

I would like to personally thank every one of our current and future clients for having faith in us as well to serve you locally. I am always just one email or phone call away from being able to help.

Sincerely,

Michael S. Cohen
Owner

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