Why you should watermark your pictures, videos – Copyright Board boss

The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) CEO Edward Sigei. [File, Standard]

The Kenya Copyright Board CEO, Edward Sigei, has urged graphic artists and creatives to watermark their photography and videography work before sharing them on social media.

The copyright board boss’ sentiments come at a time when political campaigns have intensified, mostly marred with manipulation of past pictures and videos to spread fake news.

According to KECOBO, watermarking images helps in proper acknowledgement.

“Watermark is now essential in areas of photography and videos,” Sigei’s statement read in part.

Then added, “Graphic artists and creatives are advised to always show a link to their work by embedding a digital signature or another unique mark, similar rights management information,”

In an undated press release shared on KECOBO’s website on Wednesday, March 2, Sigei also warned against the use of other people’s pictures and videos without properly crediting them.

“Take note that the widely used term 'courtesy' e.g., 'photo courtesy' is NOT an acknowledgement,” Sigei said.

“An acknowledgement must clearly show the name of the author and in some instances, the name of the work if relevant. In the age of social media, the author account may be added,”

Sigei says that the usage of other people’s works should be attributed to the original owners in line with moral rights requirements stipulated in the Copyright Act 2001.

He also reiterated that copyright owners are protesting the widespread usage of their works on multiple media platforms.