Overlai has introduced a new tool designed to help creators protect the ownership of their photographs online. Leveraging the Aptos blockchain, the newly launched beta version of Overlai’s mobile app and Adobe Plugin promises to secure photographers’ rights in an era increasingly dominated by generative AI.
Co-founded by acclaimed photographers Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, Overlai addresses a growing concern among artists about losing control over their creations in the digital space. The solution embeds invisible watermarks into a photo’s metadata, ensuring that ownership information remains intact, no matter how extensively the image is shared or altered online.
This innovative approach uses the Aptos blockchain to store creators’ credentials securely, ensuring that every image stamped with Overlai’s watermark remains linked to its original creator. The watermark survives various transformations such as screenshotting, compression, and format conversion, providing a robust defense against unauthorized use.
Adding an extra layer of protection, Overlai has introduced an optional feature that allows photographers to declare their images as off-limits for AI training purposes. Through what is known as a “do not train” C2PA manifest assertion, creators can prevent AI from using their images in machine learning processes, addressing concerns about AI’s reappropriation of copyrighted materials.
The choice of the Aptos blockchain is strategic. Known for its low latency and high throughput capabilities, Aptos enables Overlai to offer a scalable and reliable service to a global audience without compromising on speed or availability. This technical backbone is crucial for handling the significant volume of transactions and interactions expected on the Overlai platform.
“Protecting our intellectual property and copyrights is not solely about financial gain; it’s about maintaining the integrity of our creative expressions,” remarked Paul Nicklen, Overlai Co-Founder and renowned National Geographic photographer. “With the decentralization and security features of the Aptos blockchain, we’re pioneering a new digital era that places a high value on individual creators.”
Avery Ching, CTO of Aptos Labs, also emphasized the importance of this innovation: “Overlai exemplifies the potential of decentralization to empower creators. By enabling them to retain ownership and control over their assets, we are setting a new standard in how technology supports artistic endeavors.”
Luke Neumann, Co-Founder and CEO of Overlai, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our platform’s end-to-end decentralized infrastructure is geared towards setting new benchmarks in how creators engage with AI technologies responsibly.”
As Overlai rolls out its beta to the public, both creators within the Aptos ecosystem and beyond can start experimenting with these new tools, potentially setting a precedent for how digital content is managed and protected in the future.