Court upholds photographers' breach of copyright claim

Roland Camilleri

Oct 22nd 2011, 00:53

Totally agree with Matthew. This was one of the main reasons why we decided to start legal proceedings against the newspaper. Having your picture abused in such a way and accompanying such articles is very sad indeed. The photos we take and upload on specifically dedicated websites are there for the enjoyment of all aviation enthusiasts and photographers alike and not for thirsty journalists who want to make up a story to satisfy their agenda. What is not mentioned in the report is that one of the photographers was contacted on two occasions by the journalist and was told twice that his request to use any of his photos cannot be entertained. Notwithstanding, the journalist deliberately and consciously published the photos illegally. For us this has been more of a battle against arrogance than anything else and after 6 years we can say that justice has been made. Our hobby should be protected against abuse of this type and hope that this sentence will deter future attempts by certain media in this country to hijack our hobby.

M. Bezzina

Oct 21st 2011, 20:32

Thks alot for the positive comments guys I am sorry we cant let everything let go with the wind on this rock!!!

Matthew Scerri

Oct 21st 2011, 19:45

Prosit to all 3 of them for actually going through with it. As a fellow spotter and photographer reading this gives me great pleasure.

These websites are specifically made for photographers and their T&C clearly state that you are the sole owner of your work.

What's even saddening is that more often than not, the stories that accompany these stolen photos are based on fantasies and imagination...

Malcolm Debono

Oct 21st 2011, 19:23

A comment like that from an editor of a newspaper is really disturbing.

Have you even read the usage policy on JetPhotos?
http://jetphotos.net/photousage/

"All photographs displayed on this website (www.jetphotos.net) are the property of the owners noted in the copyright banner under each image and may not be used in any way without the owner’s permission."

Is this paragraph really that hard to understand? I think not.

Mr Peter Korsten

Oct 21st 2011, 17:30

"On his part editor Noel Grima pleaded that the photos had been downloaded from websites and that they were, therefore, in the public domain. According to Mr Grima there was no violation of copyright."

Mr Grima clearly needs a lesson about copyright and intellectual property. Although that hasn't stopped either him or his newspaper to put a copyright notice on their website.

William Attard McCarthy

Oct 21st 2011, 16:39

I find the editor's comments so disturbing, more and more so when they are coming out of the mouth of somebody who, as editor, should definitely know better.

Myself, as a photographer, upload my works to various online sites and agencies on a continuous basis... this does not give anyone the right to make use of them in any form or way whatsoever.

This goes for images posted anywhere.... be it Facebook, Flickr, etc.

A lot of Maltese people are ignorant to this fact and think that just because an image is there you can just right click and save and make personal use of it. Well, you can't...

Now... have to go and see about a photo of mine which was published in a local magazine and of which I know nothing about....

JC Sullivan

Oct 21st 2011, 14:33

Nice try Mr. Grima.

Richard Caruana

Oct 21st 2011, 14:08

At last, these guys had the courage to do something about their work being stolen. Good for you.

Just a small addition to the above, photographs posted on such websites, such as airliners.net, etc, all carry a copyright notice including contact details with the photographer, and it's obvious that it was completely ignored.

R. Gauci

Oct 21st 2011, 13:38

Mbaghad jaqbduk tikkoppja DVD mahdum l-Amerika u tirriskja xi sentejn habs..u xoghol il-Maltin tista tikkuppjah ghax tehel cucata.

Ian Vella

Oct 21st 2011, 12:39

Just 400 euro?!!! ...and what about the court and lawyer costs? I think this sentence is sending the wrong message.... "Don't bother taking anyone to court over copyright breach claims, they will only pay you what was owned to you in the first place... and you'll have to fork out the expenses!!, which related to the maltese courts are not peanuts!