jval, I have to agree with much of what you said, i.e., the "vanity" issue, whether or not -- anyone -- produces images "worthy of copying", and/or overconcern with image protection. These are all valid points, I think, but I guess you have to look at this the same way as locking a door to your house, car, or office -- it will most likely REDUCE the possibilities of said property being stolen, violated, or otherwise, but not necessarily PREVENT it from being stolen, etc. Disregarding the (reasonable and valid) vanity/worth aspects entirely though, in another incarcation -- a couple of decades ago, I published artwork in the form of comics/comix, cards, etc., and had on more than one occasion and one particularly nasty incident been the victim of blatant copyright violation, necessitating legal action and lawyer fees that seemed to take on a life of their own and multiply. On the other side, I unknowlingly became the violator of another's copyrights (hiring and trusting a friend in need without checking as I should have), another nasty situation. Of course, any lawyer will tell you ignorance of the law is no excuse and that cost me, too -- time, trouble, and money. Of course I would be flattered by someone using artwork of mine within proper and "fair use" guidelines, but many people choose to ignore those and blatantly STEAL! Though I have posted no artwork here in the about two years I have subscribed, I do have plenty and I thoroughly understand those who have such concerns, as witness the reactions people exhibit when finding that someone has misappropriated work of theirs, and I don't think one should have their personal reactions to such be determined by the concerns of either misplaced ego, paranoia or worthiness as adjudged by others. I mean, THEY created it. Please, I hope this doesn't sound like flaming or biting your head off, just another point of view. I too would rather spend my thought on more creative things, but a late friend, once told me that "a little paranoia is a good thing in a bad neighborhood." That lesson was brought all too dreadfully home by the fact that he was later murdered in a street robbery --- in a bad neighbornood. The web can be a bad neighborhood. Boy, I hope this hasn't gotten too heavy.