Luminous Landscape Forum
The Art of Photography => The Coffee Corner => Topic started by: torontonic on November 11, 2008, 09:36:40 am
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figured I would share my incident with the Montreal Mirror.
http://www.rockphoto.ca/mirror/montrealmirror.html (http://www.rockphoto.ca/mirror/montrealmirror.html)
http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=165927 (http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=165927)
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Both links seem to be broken.
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Both links seem to be broken.
Fixed!
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The problem now, is that the paper has just figured out a cost effective way of obtaining digital art. Your story sets a precedence for further copyright infringement.
In essence, they try to get it for free (COST = $0) and if that fails on the threat of legal action, an offer for substantially less (COST = 30%) is made with little regard or fear of litigation. As this model is implimented more, the market value of legitimate work will be diminished, further hitting us in the back pocket.
This should be taken up with your government representative to encourage legislation, that if copyright infingrment is proven, as you did, a fine of $1000 per infringement applies. the government recoups the cash and re-imburses the plantif. Just a thought!
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Fixed!
I'm glad you fixed the links. Your story is indeed appalling. I like BFoto's suggestion, too, but in addition to the fine I think the editor, the "junior" editor, and anybody at the paper who was aware of the watermark removal should be jailed.
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How deep are their pockets?
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How deep are their pockets?
What I'd really like to see (wishful thinking, I know) is this: your attorney gets a court injunction to prevent Montreal Mirror from publishing any photographs at all until such time as they have paid you triple damages ($450, and not just $350), plus court costs and your attorney's fees. You can bet the attorneys they threaten to countersue with cost them a lot more than $450. What creeps!
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The biggest issue is to ensure that the fine/penalty for infringement is substantially greater than paying for the work in the first place.