How to Protect Intelectual Property

[brko]

Hi,

 

I would like to know how to protect some of my AutoCAD drawings when given to clients. More specifically preventing them from printing, copy/paste and modifying my designs. What do you use for this? Is there software out there that I can use to achieve this?

 

Regards,

Brko

[ReMark]

Send your clients PDF files. They will still be able to print them though but they won't be able to modify them.

[cadvision]

Add a copyright statement to the drawing title. If you send PDF's use a watermark. I have a line up the side that says crawing by Cadvision Drafting and Scanning ®. However I've never worried too much about content, as the client has paid me to produce drawings for them. Didn't worry me on a drawing board, doesn't on CAD. Guess it comes down to type of drawings and use. Put in your terms of trade/contract with the cleint the drawings are supplied for the specified project only.

[ReMark]

The client owns the drawing so they should be able to make copies. They do not have the right to change what is on the drawing in any way, shape or form. How about the use of digital signatures?

[MikeScott]

Sometimes a client owns a drawing but not the design. I design and build, so typically the design is my company's. It depends where the concepts and design originated. I think the PDF suggestion here is the best, with a big watermark.

 

If they want to purchase the design, then that's extra money and a different set of conditions, but if you're truly putting proprietary info on the drawings, I wouldn't give full details anyways... just enough to get them into trouble.

 

I never release CAD files unless they've purchased the design as well as the product. At that point it's theirs, but short of that, I'm not giving away company time for them to take the design and/or alter it to re-use it elsewhere. They have to buy that, and when/if they do, I assign them reproduction and derivative works copyrights, and put it on the drawing.

 

It ain't cheap though.

[Tankman]

Hi,

 

I would like to know how to protect some of my AutoCAD drawings when given to clients. More specifically preventing them from printing, copy/paste and modifying my designs. What do you use for this? Is there software out there that I can use to achieve this?

 

Regards,

Brko

 

Adobe Pro for generating a *.pdf.

You can then lock the *.pdf and allow printing or deny printing.

Many other options (permissions) to secure our work.

[Cad64]

Adobe Pro for generating a *.pdf.

You can then lock the *.pdf and allow printing or deny printing.

 

Do you have one of these "Locked" pdf's that you can post here? I would like to see if I can open it in Photoshop and print it.

[Tankman]

Do you have one of these "Locked" pdf's that you can post here? I would like to see if I can open it in Photoshop and print it.

 

Cad64 the attached *.pdf file is "secured", permits viewing but printing and changing are set to "no."

 

An additional setting would be, "Require password to open."

I didn't opt for the password to open so you can at least view the document.

 

The second attachment, same document, is set "password to open."

The party trying to view the *.pdf would have to know the various passwords.

 

Adobe does state, "Some programs might not recognize the various security options."

 

Be sure to let all know how you make out. A simple yea or nay.

PipingCT-Locked.pdf

PipingCT-Password_Locked.pdf

[ReMark]

Do I sense the making of a challenge here? LOL

[Tankman]

Do I sense the making of a challenge here? LOL

 

You bet, Cad64 asked for it!

 

I've never used the Adobe permissions except the option, "Changes not allowed."

 

A few times, I denied "printing" just to be a pain in the you-know-what!

 

I guess using print-screen, you could get around this. Never tried.

[Cad64]

As expected, the "Password Locked" pdf requires a "Password" in order to open it in Photoshop.

 

The "Locked" pdf requires a "Document Permissions" password to remove the printing restriction before it will open in Photoshop.

 

But after doing a quick Google search, I found several cheap programs that will remove these restrictions. So don't kid yourself. There is no such thing as protection of intellectual property through the use of locked files. Locks can easily be bypassed. The best thing to do is include on or with your files, disclaimers, watermarks, copyrights, etc. Also, keep good records of what files were sent, when you sent them and who you sent them to. If emailing, ask for delivery receipts and read receipts. If sending files via Fed-Ex or UPS, keep all of your shipping and tracking information. You can request a copy of the delivery receipt which includes the time, date and the signature of the person who received your files.

 

There are many ways to protect your intellectual property, but locked files is not one of them. :wink:

[Tankman]

There's always some kind of work around, just a thorn in their bbbbbbbbbbbb.

 

Years ago, an engineering firm in Kansas did in fact use a drawing or two of mine.

I called 'em on it. I also got the job.

 

Zooming in on my drawings, you will most always find Tankman on fittings valves, etc.

 

I also tilt tank manways a few degrees. When I see a drawing with a tilted manway, I know I was the originator.

 

Of course, all drawings have a disclaimer on them.

[Dana W]

There's always some kind of work around, just a thorn in their bbbbbbbbbbbb.

 

Years ago, an engineering firm in Kansas did in fact use a drawing or two of mine.

I called 'em on it. I also got the job.

 

Zooming in on my drawings, you will most always find Tankman on fittings valves, etc.

 

I also tilt tank manways a few degrees. When I see a drawing with a tilted manway, I know I was the originator.

 

Of course, all drawings have a disclaimer on them.

 

You must be a student of Da Vinci's methods. You will notice in the picture of his "Tank" that the front and rear wheels counter-rotate when cranked. He did not draw it that way because he was stupid.

[Tankman]

You must be a student of Da Vinci's methods. You will notice in the picture of his "Tank" that the front and rear wheels counter-rotate when cranked. He did not draw it that way because he was stupid.

 

Not a student of DaVinci but, a fan!

 

When working for others, a lot of my designs are in use today.

Their intellectual property.

 

I should have wised up sooner. Now work from home, all the property is mine. :wink:

 

Nowadays, I spend my time on piping, tanks, valves, plant layouts.

Pretty simple stuff. Only my must trusted clients receive *.dwg files.

 

Years ago, I did design mechanical and chemical systems. On-the-clock the property was bought and paid for by my employer. Geeze, wish I had royalty rights!

[mvrcad]

with PDF, people like me that need to use the drawing insert it as a rater image, scale it and work off that in autocad.

[Tankman]

with PDF, people like me that need to use the drawing insert it as a rater image, scale it and work off that in autocad.

 

That's if you can open the *.pdf (permissions requiring a password to open).

 

If I need to use a *.pdf, I first use www.pdf2cad.com to create a *.dxf file. Much easier.

[mvrcad]

That's if you can open the *.pdf (permissions requiring a password to open).

 

If I need to use a *.pdf, I first use www.pdf2cad.com to create a *.dxf file. Much easier.

cheers tankman