I was doing some
research on the construction of the Janna dam (a dam which – according to the
Ministry of Energy and Water - is supposed to help Lebanon with its water and
electricity shortages, while opponents claim that the rock around the dam is porous,
which will result in leakage, making the dam useless), when I
stumbled upon one of my own pictures on a web page of
the Middle East Business & Events; ifpinfo.com.
Is it really mine, I thought? Maybe it’s just
similar. After all, I am not the only one hanging out in that neck of the
woods. But I checked carefully, and I do believe it is mine.
 |
| the image on their web site; they cropped some parts out |
 |
| My image |
Very cleverly they cropped my name and the border off. They
did not mention where they got the picture from.
And so I sent them a bill on January 14, 2014, with the request
to pay me within 30 days. After all, you take my images without permission,
you pay.
They have not responded. So is this Middle East Business: I wonder? The image, however, is still there. Not very nice.
8 comments:
Not nice at all. You might be interested to know that the Al Joumhouria Newspaper also used the same photo but they didn't crop it. Though they probably should have asked for your permission at least.
That will be always a problem.
See this (sorry it is in Dutch):
http://www.mediareport.nl/internetrecht/06082013/reguliere-licentievergoeding-voor-zonder-toestemming-plaatsen-foto-op-website/
That has happened to me several times: Virgin radio used a photo I took of a friend's dog in the driving seat of an abandoned bus. I wrote to them -no reply. Then Lebanon Traveller used photos of me paragliding, taken by a friend using my camera (friend knew nothing about them stealing the images).They at least apologised, but then went on to add insult to injury by 'generously' offering to use my photos of Lebanon in their next edition but without any payment - they would acknowledge me though. Big deal eh? Your photo is beautiful, it is your property and you should be acknowledged and paid. Good luck with that.
removing your signature from the picture was not cool at all.
You are in good company: http://beirutntsc.blogspot.com/2014/02/khalil-ahmad-missing-child-on-milk.html
And:
http://beirutntsc.blogspot.com/2010/08/same-ad-pound-for-pound.html
(Both times unauthorized use of images).
@ Jad: Never knew the newspaper one!
@Paul, geen problem, dan lees ik het in het nederlands :)
@Snapdragon & Tarek Chemaly: I think maybe we should look into Lebanese law and see if it is feasible and profitable to claim money.
this has happened to me as well. Infuriating!
It is not only "Not Very Nice", it is also illegal. And if the law in Lebanon is silent on this issue, then it is high time someone speaks up. Piracy of intellectual property is rampant and the phenomena is prevalent all over the world. But it is especially disturbing when media outlets, producer of intellectual products, violate copyright laws. Especially when available technology tools make it possible for anyone to easily make a decent photo.
I am also reckoning many owners of images are happy to share when asked nicely!
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