AdBrite has released a new product called BritePic which claims to "bring life to your images." No, this isn't a slide show slide.com-like product, they're talking about bringing life to the IMG tag. Instead of the filthy old IMG tag you can now use a piece of Javascript code that loads from the BritePic server. Play with an example below:

BritePic has a handful of features, I'm just not sure if any of them are all that useful. Zooming and dragging the picture is fun for 5 seconds but ultimately limited. The ability to "embed" an image has existed in browsers since the mid-90s and right clicking on "Copy Image Location." The integration of RSS in the menu is interesting but not that useful and why again do I want a logo on my image? The worst part is that with BritePic enabled you can no longer get to the real source of the actual image location.

The major draw to this new service from AdBrite is it's advertising component. A text headline shows in the upper left corner and hovering over it will spring a text ad (ironic) forth. The advertisement is supposed to be relevant to tags entered by the publisher but in my experience it has been completely irrelevant and has nothing to do with the image. The ads are shown on a per impression basis (i believe) from which AdBrite pockets 30 cents on every dollar of advertising spent. That's a pretty deep cut if you ask me. Also, one huge drawback is that in order to use BritePic you have to fork over your social security number or tax id so you can get paid. That is quite a large barrier to entry. Make no mistake: this is all about the ads.

The move is gutsy in the context of image copyright and license protection. Does anyone else remember the first problems when Image Search was introduced? There's a reason why Google still can't monetize it's image results. BritePic offers a solution that monetizes any image with an ad placed directly in the image itself. This creates a very sticky situation where there is direct incentive for both AdBrite and the publisher to use BritePic on photos without respecting copyright. Have fun with that.

Size of a normal picture with the IMG tag: 20k

Size of a fancy BritePic: 85k

Irrelevant ads in your pictures (or someone elses): Priceless

Several other review sites have touted BritePic's ability to change images FOREVER. I'm sorry to report that this is just not the case. BritePic is another way to clutter your site with ads and embed a flash player for little reason.

One final note... I found this CAPTCHA on the BritePic signup page. Never seen that before...