AI learning/What you can do before publishing images you are concerned about unauthorized reproduction | Concepts of NoAI notation, watermarking, and reduction

Once an image is published on the Internet, it is technically impossible to completely prevent it from being reprinted, saved, reposted, or used by AI. Then, you can make it easier to communicate the source and terms of use by adjusting the way the images are displayed, their size, watermarks, logos, display conditions, etc.

Role of watermarks, logos, and covers

Each image processing does not completely prevent reprinting, but is merely an auxiliary function to help convey the image's presentation and intent in an easy-to-understand manner.

• Watermark: Overlay text on the image to indicate the author or store's origin.
• Logo: Visually communicate your brand, vendor, and rights holder.
• Cover material: By covering unreleased parts and spoiler elements, you can hide the parts you don't want to show.
• Low resolution export: This is an option to avoid distributing the original size master data as is, and to keep the image quality to a level that is sufficient for web viewing.

What you can do with MistSeal

MistSeal provides the following functions on the browser to prepare images for publication.

• Text watermark: You can place any text by specifying the font and opacity.
• Logo image: You can overlay a logo image file such as PNG on the original image.
• Tile Watermark: Text can be spread thinly over the entire image in a grid pattern.
• Cover material that hides part of the work: Layer solid stickers or masking tape-like materials to cover up the areas you don't want to show.
• Export to public size/format: Convert and save to a resolution and image format suitable for web viewing.
• EXIF deletion: Delete unnecessary metadata such as shooting information and location information before outputting.
• Presets and batch export: Save frequently used settings and apply the same watermark to multiple images at once.

**Note: Additional settings such as adding NoAI tags to EXIF ​​and adding other noises do not completely prevent AI usage, reprinting, and storage. These are additional settings to assist the rights holder in expressing their intentions when publishing and how to display the image. *

Things you should not do

• Publishing based only on noise and micro-processing: Avoid placing too much faith in the protection provided by technical processing and publishing images as large as they would be without any processing.
• Thinking that it is okay to publish the original size image because it has a watermark: Even if there is a watermark or logo, if you distribute the high-resolution image data itself, it will be easier to modify or cut it for use.
• Assuming that the NoAI notation alone will stop usage: Displaying refusal is a form of expression of intention, and not all crawlers and programs will technically detect it and comply with it.
• Do not leave copyright information or original data of the work: If you save only the completed processed image and delete the original file including layer information and old update history, it will be difficult to prove copyright.

Priority before publication changes depending on illustrations, photos, and product images

When considering AI learning prevention and unauthorized reproduction prevention, the priority measures will change depending on the type of image to be published.

• Illustration/Manga: Watermark with author name and social media ID, cover of unpublished parts, reduced image for publication
• Photo: Processing and EXIF deletion of visible information such as faces, license plates, background signs, etc.
• Product images: Shop name and logo, role separation between images showing products and explanatory images, settings for batch processing

NoAI notation or NoAI watermark is one way to indicate that you do not wish to use the information for learning purposes. However, it is not technically possible to stop all preservation, reproduction, and learning simply by displaying the information. It is more realistic to combine disclosure range, image size, watermark, cover, and storage of original data.

Frequently asked questions

Can I prevent reprinting with just a watermark?

No, watermarks alone cannot completely prevent storage and reprinting. It is merely an auxiliary means to clearly state the source (author or shop) and to show intention against unauthorized diversion.### What is the NoAI notation used for? It is used by rights holders to indicate their intention to refuse learning programs and crawlers such as generative AI that they do not want this data to be used for learning.

What should I do first when publishing my work?

After safely backing up the original file, prepare a "reduced image" for posting on the internet, and start by overlaying the origin (signature, shop logo, etc.) as necessary.

Before publishing your work, be sure to organize the presentation and attribution of your work.

Can NoAI watermarks and notations alone prevent AI learning?

It cannot be completely prevented. NoAI notations and watermarks are used to help indicate the intention of the right holder and the source of the image. We recommend combining this with methods such as reducing the size of the image to be published, not showing necessary parts, leaving the author information, and storing the original data.