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opinion: media ignorant of rights of amateur photographers?
i'm an amateur photographer. i take picture as a hobby. i love theater and i've taken pictures of several productions. they're all in my flickr account. lately, print media have been using some of my pictures without having the courtesy to acknowledge me. i have added a copyright notice on each picture and they have conveniently cropped that off!! i wrote to the editor(s) and i've not had any response from them. i met one of the authors at one of the rehearsals of "Revenge" and i expressed my discontent. she was very defensive and said its not my fault its the editor's fault.
Publication: The Nation
Date: 08 June 2008
Supplement: Eye
Article Title: The Day Will Come
Article Author: Shabna Cader
URL: http://www.nation.lk/2008/06/08/eyefea5.htm
Publication: The Nation
Date: 22 June 2008
Supplement: Eye
Article Title: The Day Will Come – review
Article Author: Shabna Cader
URL: http://www.nation.lk/2008/06/22/eyefea5.htm
- shehal's blog
- 869 reads
Comments
wow that sucks. what kind of rinky dink newspaper and sleezbag writer would repeatedly steal photos without crediting the owner. nice photos btw
well tariq, the paper has appologised, as you can see if you read the comments below. you think we dont know who you are?
apologized*
no wonder the paper and its writers steal shit, they can't even spell properly lol i dont care if 'yall' know who i am, thats quite unprofessional a thing to do (steal work REPEATEDLY, remember it happened on more than one occasion). and since i used to know one of the writers personally, it doesn't come as a suprise if those are the type they are hiring.
thanks for the compliment :)
the newspaper later apologized
and i read the nation newspaper because they offer a different perspective on issues
cheers
shehal
they have used my pics before and they have paid me
this is because the journalist who wrote the article made sure i was acknowledged and paid
unlike the one who wrote the above two articles
and despite hearing my discontent about the first article she failed to acknowledge me on the second
the editor might be responsible for things like this but every journalist has a duty bound by their code of ethics to give due credit to their sources if demanded
anyways the editor apologized and i have accepted their apology
thanks for your kind support
:)
Since it's apparently legal, scan/photograph their newpaper every day and post it online on your blog in a spaceial category. Until they acknowledge theft of your work. If they don't respect your copyrights why should you theirs?
Also, spider their website every day and post stories from their too.
I'm serious take photos of all their pages and post it online daily.
It's worth it.
Sorry to hear about the incident Shehal. I think I informed you earlier about my plight with the Sunday Times and Wijeya Newspapers regarding a similar matter (http://www.flickr.com/groups/srilankaphotographers/discuss/7215760511515...)
Unfortunately SL seems to have a media culture that doesn't respect copyright. Especially when the content is online, editors seems to use flickr as a free resource to fill empty space. The problem is no one usually complains, either due to naiveness or the "can't be bothered" attitude. I sent e-mails without any response and then sent a letter of demand through a lawyer. The current legal system in SL sucks big time when it comes to copyright violation. There are no statutory clauses which makes the person guilty just for violating copyright. This needs to be proven in court. This makes it so that the guy with the biggest bank account wins, as litigation costs money. So people like you and I end up sulking in silence while the 'big guns' get away with blatant copyright violation with impunity. Unlike any other entity its really sad and disappointing when media institutions which are meant to safeguard the rights and privileges of the general public robs us in broad daylight and gives us the finger when complaining.
Good luck with whatever action you take regarding this matter. If we keep silent, this attitude will never go away.
Regards,
Navinda
Shehal,
Change your license at flickr immediately. Also call the number and complain. They will continue to do this otherwise. Call the news paper directly as well. Tell them that you can cover the plays for them as they seem not have a photographer! But you need to build a case. Copyright need to be protected and you need to show that you did your due diligence protect your work!. Even this post could be attributed as evidence. Just imagine they do the same thing to a poor kid from a village, So call that number!
Watermark will not damage your reputation and if people are genuinely interested they will contact you for photos.
Also call local SPA, Software Publishers Association, to see if they paid for the Photoshop CS2 that they are using to alter photos!
Flickr changes needed;
# Attribute this work:
What does "Attribute this work" mean?
The page you came from contained embedded licensing metadata, including how the creator wishes to be attributed for re-use. You can use the HTML here to cite the work. Doing so will also include metadata on your page so that others can find the original work as well.
# Noncommercial. You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
# No Derivative Works. You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.
thanks your comments
i am disappointed with their attitude
its not about the money but i dont mind getting paid :)
you know what...
i just might call that number and complain!
pffft!!
i started watermarking the photos
there is a notice saying "all rights reserved"
i thought the editors would have courtesy at least to reply my e-mails
pffft!!
and their crops dont do justice to the scene!
eg: the one of enitha looking over her shoulder at enoch
they masked him off!
and now its as if she's looking behind
why would that be interesting?
read the article - the author is clueless
i guess that explains the senseless crop!
pffft!!
start watermarking the photos. You can do it without harming the photos. Also since it is a commercial publication, you can get your due payment. Look carefully at your copyright statement and change it for not allowing commercial use without payment. Ask a lawyer as well, you can't be too sympathetic just because the keep on getting black eyes.
I enjoyed your photo essays about plays! THX
Dude...you need to talk to the press complaints commission..fast..535 3635
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