image protection technique?

I've seen a number of photographer's websites where they have nice image protection - when you right click on an image, a dialog box pops up that says "Copyrighted image, permission is required to copy this picture," and you cannot "save as" to your computer. I am a graphic designer, and know there are a number of ways to get around this, but I think its a great way to hamper the casual image thief.

Does anyone know how you do this? I was not sure if its a script that has to run on a website, or if there is someone way you can add that protection (as a roll-over perhaps?) to an individual image. For example, a photo of mine was recently requested by a local park district for their website, is there a way I could add this feature to an image hosted on a website I do not control?

Any information would be appreciated!

Please, please, please don't do this.

This is the second most annoying thing web developers can do. The first being adding music...

Oh, and to answer the last part. It's a JavaScript, not a feature of an image itself.

question, who would want them anyway ?

To reply, I've had one picture (a print) given to someone as a gift turned into a postcard that they sold for profit, another picture I had posted on a website turn up on someone's website in a very misrepresentative way - in both cases, I was not asked or notified and found out by accident.

I'm not one of those "image Nazis" who has to control or profit from every possible use of a picture, and I think the beauty of the internet in sharing images, but I also think there is nothing wrong with limiting people's ability to copy my work. I realize not everyone feels this way, but I bet a lot of photographers who sell their work do. I also think this is much less intrusive than a watermark, or unsightly copyright notice in the corner.

Thanks for responding, I appreciate your input.

PS: One thing I disagree with Detonate on - the most annoying thing web developers do is the dreaded JavaScript "underwater bubble effect" on the cursor!

in mnay cases you can right click and then goto EDIT>COPY

The new version of Gallery now has built-in watermarking. You may want to check it out.

http://gallery.menalto.com/

Cheers

James

gallery is a little awkard to install if your server isnt set up exactly how gallery wants it to be .. a good basic requirement php image gallery program is coppermine and its free like gallery .. http://coppermine.sourceforge.net/

Mcgallery Pro stops image copying by turing the image into a php page .. but image quality is somewhat lost. http://www.mcgallerypro.com/ and it also costs money.

Gallery does havet he most features for free I am sure, but I had some huge problems with it on my server, it does require a lot. (but i guess thats what you get for more features)