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Content Article
Words of Wisdom When Buying Adult Content for your Website:
Back on a cold rainy day in the spring of 1997 while on the set
of the TV series Stargate SG1, my business partner Steve and I
discussed a very interesting idea. What would it take to set up
our own Porn Studio, right here in Hollywood North (Vancouver,
BC). We'll I can tell you…. It took a lot; 2 offices, 1 - 6000Sqft
Studio, 9 Different Lawyers, 3 Accountants, 47 Parking Tickets,
Numerous Sleepless Nights and much much more. But we did it.
This is how I am able to discuss with you the real topic of this
article "Words of Wisdom When Buying Adult Content." Over the
last three years I have seen some definite changes in the way
that content is sold and distributed. I have seen Content Providers
come and Content Providers go. Within all this turmoil there are
several key things to remember when it comes to buying content.
The most important thing to do when buying content is to Know
Whom You Are Buying From. Unfortunately as in life, not all Content
Providers are ethical or honest. Do your homework and gather as
much information as you can. Ask your friends and colleagues in
the business what they know about the Provider.
There are many different types on Adult Content available for
purchase or licensing:
Photographic Image, Text/Audio - Stories, Streaming Video, Video
Clips, Games, Animation/Hentia, Chat, Live Video and much more.
I'd like to talk specifically about purchasing Photographic Images.
The first thing you need to do is determine is what type of content
you require and remember, "Not All Content is Created Equal."
There are many different types or niches when it comes to Content.
You have your Teen (18+), Mature, Asian, Fetish, Bizarre (Our
Specialty), Softcore, Hardcore, Pornstars and so on. As far as
deciding what type of content you need that is a personal choice
you will need to make after doing your own research.
Once you've determined what type of Content you require and you
find a Provider you are comfortable with, you need to Protect
yourself and ask several Key Questions: Is this Content Legal
for Web Use?
Answer: Anything but a definite YES should be avoided.
Will You Issue Me a License for Web Use?
Answer: Anything but a definite YES should be avoided.
Are All of the Models at Least 18 Years of Age or Older?
Answer: Anything but a definite YES should be avoided.
Does the License State Who the Keeper of Records is as Required
by Law?
Answer: Anything but a definite YES should be avoided.
Will you Indemnify me from all Intellectual Property/Copyright
Concerns?
Answer: Anything but a definite YES should be avoided.
Note: Just because you are indemnified does not mean you are safe.
If the Provider is no longer in business 2 years from now you
could be in trouble (Only Purchase from Established Content Providers)
Am I buying a License to Publish an Image or am I buying the Copyright?
In 99% of the cases you are only buying a License to publish the
image on the web only. Purchasing the actual copyright is usually
cost prohibitive.
Along with the questions above, there are several other you can
ask in order you help you better choose the right content:
Are the Images Scanned off the Negative/Chrome or are they Digital?
Typically a scanned image will be sharper and have more vibrant
colors.
NOTE: there are several hi-end Digital Cameras ($10,000+) that
take phenomenal pictures but I currently only know of one provider
shooting with them.
When I receive the Images, what size will they be?
For the majority of Website usage, 72DPI is sufficient. We also
recommend a file size of 600x900 pixels minimum and about 150K-250KB
(lightly compressed). This file size allows you to manipulate
the image and compress it to whatever level you require.
Can I use these Images in Banners and Site Design?
Before you purchase any products you always want to read the licensing
agreement you will have to work under. A comprehensive agreement
will include information on whether or not this is usage is permitted.
If you have any questions about usage, don't be afraid to the
provider.
A basic rule of thumb for buying images is; if you want to use
the images for anything other than in your Protected Members directory,
ask the Provider if that usage is permitted. The last thing you
want is to use the images in a way they were not intended to.
That could end you up in court with some hefty legal bills.
Knowing the answers to these questions before you purchase anything
could save you a whole lot of headaches in the long run. Most
importantly, always use your common sense.
Good luck
Tom Sweet
Sweet Entertainment Group
http://www.sweeterotica.com/sweet
For more information regarding Copyright and Intellectual Property
questions please refer to APIC - The Association for the Protection
of Internet Copyright (http://www.a-w.org) For more information
regarding the "Keeper of Records" as required by law, please refer
to: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/2257.html |
