It is widely believed that the Indian MEDIA has scant respect for copyrights. Although it is unfair to generalize, I’ve starting to believe that it is indeed true.
We’re a niche online media portal covering events & stories in Bangalore city. Time and again I’ve noticed that mainstream media uses OUR content (photos, research data, etc.) in their stories and never gives us credit (forget about taking permission!)
Let me provide a recent instance:
Bangalore Mirror issue of February 24th 2010, Page 7, which bore the story ” Tweeting to Save Carlton Towers”.
Bangalore Mirror has used 3 of MyBangalore.com Copyright images in the above mentioned story .
Images in context
1.A shocked survivor
2.A Fireman in Action
3.A victim being brought out of the building.
These images have been very prominently featured in our story which have been captured by our Staff Photographer Manish Gunjan.
The story was published on February 23rd, 2010 Titled:
Pictures: Fire in Bangalore’s Carlton Towers
http://mybangalore.com/article/0210/pictures-fire-in-carlton-towers.html
As anybody can tell, this is a case of blatant rip-off and copyright violation. Can you believe that the honorable Bangalore Mirror belongs to the Times of India Group?
It is extremely unfair to pass off somebody’s work as your own. I have no idea, how many images/stories are being used on a daily basis – they could be anyone’s, but I do know that this nefarious practice is increasing and there is nothing we can do about it.
Tags: Bangalore, bangalore mirror, copyright, media, mybangalore, stealing content, TOI
The mirror has always resorted to ways that put the entire media community to shame. I say mirror and not just bangalore mirror because even its elder cousin mumbai mirror has resorted to such crimes. first of all they report junk and absolutely lies. Mumbai mirror had recently been widely criticized by the bachans. i pity the times of india which is allowing its mirror (pun intended) to such acts of literary crime and filth. Years of credibility struck with the citizens of india which has made the times the leading newspaper in the englis language section is suddenly being put to ransom by it filthy ‘mirror’.
Most Bangaloreans consider “bangalore mirror” to be toilet paper. Their stories are not worth the paper they are printed on. I say Sue the B@st@rds!!!