Patent ID: 7492922

Claim:
A method for verifying copyright of a digital image, comprising: calculating a first aspect ratio of a digital image; determining a second aspect ratio and a third aspect ratio, wherein the second aspect ratio and the third aspect ratio are respectively associated with dimensions of image sensors in digital cameras; determining whether the first aspect ratio of the digital image is within a first pre-specified range of the second aspect ratio using a processor; determining whether the first aspect ratio of the digital image is within a second pre-specified range of the third aspect ratio using a processor; providing an image-based product or an image service using the digital image if the first aspect ratio is inside the first pre-specified range of the second aspect ratio or inside the second pre-specified range of the third aspect ratio; verifying copyright ownership or usage authorization of the digital image if the first aspect ratio is outside the first pre-specified range of the second aspect ratio and outside the second pre-specified range of the third aspect ratio; and providing the image-based product or the image service using the digital image when the copyright ownership or the usage authorization of the digital image is verified.