NDTV Website Steals an Image from paintedstork
Update 2. The following email from NDTV puts an end to the story amicably. Swift response from NDTV is appreciable. Thanks to Amit from NDTV for handling this in a professional manner. I received another email again from Amit, assuring that they will keep a strict watch on origin of content that goes into their system.
__________________________
Your feedback to NDTV.com
Amit xxxxxx <xxxxx@ndtv.com> Sun, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:14 AM
To: Arun B <xxxxxx@gmail.com>
Dear Arun,
Thank you for your mail to NDTV.com.
We initiated an enquiry as soon as we received your complaint, and it seems that the image you have referred to, crept into our systems inadvertently. Although there are strict editorial standards and guidelines in place at NDTV.com, sometimes the sheer volume of content that we handle everyday and the multiplicity of sources through which this content comes in, can overwhelm the system. But that is not an excuse. Any lapse in the usage of third-party material is a very serious issue to us and we deeply regret what happened in your particular case. We are strengthening our internal processes to ensure that something like this never happens again. In response to your mail we have also removed the image in question from our servers.
We want to work closely with each and every user of NDTV.com to enrich their experience on the site and will look forward to your continued support and valuable feedback in the days to come.
Regards,
Amit xxxxx
NDTV Convergence Ltd
New Delhi
__________________________
Arun B <xxxxxx@gmail.com> Sun, Dec 21, 2008 at 11:14 AM
To: Amit xxxxxxx <xxxxxxx@ndtv.com>
Dear Amit,
Thank you for your quick response and swift action in removing the image. I appreciate it.
I do hope that you you will conduct an inquiry into the leak and take necessary action.
Thanks,
Arun
_____________________________
Update 1. NDTV has removed the story from their website. You can see screenshot of the story here. I also received an email from them requesting my contact details, which I provided in my reply. It is indication that NDTV seems to have taken the matter seriously, which is appreciable. But still need to wait to hear from them again.
—
The story of large media companies stealing images from the internet continues. This time the culprit is NDTV. In one of their stories at ndtvtravels.com, they have used one of my images without compensation, permission or attribution.
The image stolen is a picture of Chandratal Lake at http://travels.ndtv.com/Story.aspx?pageheader=news&sub_category=&ID=226
I am taking up the issue with NDTV, and have written to them at feedback@ndtv.com and
rajiv@ndtv.com, as mentioned on their website. I also tried to fill the feedback form, but it gave me the following error message several times:
“We are sorry, but we were unable to service your request. You may wish to choose from the links below for the information you are looking for.”
I hope the above mailboxes are monitored and emails to these addresses don’t end up in a black hole. The issue will be tracked in this page, and any response will be posted here. Here is a copy of email I sent.
__________________________
Stolen images on ndtvtravels.com
Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 1:50 PM
To: feedback@ndtv.com, rajiv@ndtv.com
Hi,
This is related to your story “Air India to restart lone Himachal flight” published on your website at [url]
It is regrettable to see that the image published along with the story – [image url] is taken by me, and is stolen from my website([url]) or my flickr account([url]), with neither compensation nor attribution. Please explain this. Progress on this issue will be tracked on the web at http://travel.paintedstork.com/blog/
You can also see a screenshot of the page at [url]
Thanks,
Arun
__________________________
Below is a snapshot of the screen, showing the stolen image.
