Professional product photography is copyrighted the moment it exists, and counterfeit sellers steal it constantly. That makes your photo library the cheapest enforcement asset you own.
Original photos carry copyright without registration in most jurisdictions. Registration strengthens damages claims later, but ownership alone is enough for platform takedowns today.
Keep original files with metadata, shoot dates, and raw formats. A platform reviewer comparing your original against a seller's compressed copy can confirm theft at a glance.
Visible watermarks deter casual theft but date your imagery and clutter your own listings. Most brands get more from clean originals plus fast filing than from watermarking everything.
A simple internal index of your official images lets anyone on the team confirm a suspected stolen photo in seconds, which keeps the filing pipeline moving.