Shuhaib ShariffThe Dark Knight… Yeah, Right!

Double Spring Media, the company behind Bangalore’s most loved portal: MyBangalore.com has acquired the rights to the domain name: MyHyderabad.com

We’re launching MyHyderabad.com in November 2010

At this time we are looking for strategic partners and investors in Hyderabad. Interested parties can connect with us here:
http://doublespring.com/contact/

Follow us on FaceBook and Twitter:
http://www.facebook.com/myhyderabad
http://twitter.com/myhyderabad

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.

I guess “imitation” is indeed the sincerest form of flattery:
http://www.rentacoder.com/RentACoder/misc/BidRequests/ShowBidRequest.asp?lngBidRequestId=1325391

Originality is an Underrated Virtue

- Shuhaib Shariff

Grrrrr….

DS team @ McDonalds

Notice the BIG SMILE! Why? Because I was not around

Proud to support CRY (Child Rights & You)

CRY INDIA

As you drive through Bangalore’s upmarket Residency Road, you will notice a prominent hoarding that screams “DNA is now in my Bangalore”

Noticed this y’day and I suspect there must be 100+ hoardings in the city announcing DNA’s arrival. DNA (Daily News & Analysis) is a popular newspaper / print publication that has a sizeable marketshare in Mumbai and from the looks of it they are poised to do well in Bangalore. Their content is above average & the presentation is hip.

DNA will be competing for mindshare in a market dominated by BCCL’s Times of India. Other players include Deccan Chronicle, Hindu, New Indian Express & Deccan Herald.

I had a good chuckle about the “My Bangalore” bit… WHY? Well, I will reveal that in due course of time.