Comments on: Manila Bulletin files counter suit against Photoblogger

By: Filipino

Filipino — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:19:31 +0000

Hmn… so its payback time huh.

By: earthlingorgeous

earthlingorgeous — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:08:41 +0000

I would like to see how this case would turn out. Pretty interesting, and I agree to what Bryan has pointed out about fair use.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:21:54 +0000

Although I respect everybody’s opinion I think boycotting MB is a not a nice idea. Why? Because the ones that will be adversely affected by this “irrational” action are not the management people of MB (they have a lot of businesses including Manila Hotel, PhilTrust Bank, CEU, Mapua, Euro Med Lab etc.)but rather the employees, journalists and small people in the company. (take note, they have no fault.

By: Shrumster

Shrumster — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:15:21 +0000

I’d say that a boycott is in order at the very least (if anyone here actually buys print media anymore, that is). Email campaign would be a nice touch too (although a bit spammy for my taste).

Why don’t we try to do what people worldwide do whenever the RIAA/MPAA tries to bully individuals and start something of a legal fund for Anton (and other individuals) just in case he’ll need help with litigation costs? Big corporations in this country have to be taught a lesson – that they can’t bully around the little people anymore.

By: New York Times Owes $400M | The Mike Abundo Effect

New York Times Owes $400M | The Mike Abundo Effect — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:06:47 +0000

[...] it. If the New York Times is in trouble, how long can Philippine newspapers stay complacent and condescending in the face of the [...]

By: Roberto Lim

Roberto Lim — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:22:03 +0000

I would boycott MB, but I have not bought that piece of trash paper in years.

By: earthlingorgeous

earthlingorgeous — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:54:24 +0000

Oh my! That is a nasty lawsuit!

By: Leticia

Leticia — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:37:17 +0000

ANTON,

Let us email our friends, relatives and others about
your predicament.

Let us tell them how the BULLETIN violated our intellectual and property rights.

Let us tell them to BOYCOTT the bulletin~!

From:
a fellow photo enthuiast.

By: sTARman

sTARman — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:33:56 +0000

Hinde matatakot yan BULLETIN handa hinde humihina ang sales nila.

Sa Visayas, mahina na sila! Kaya ang mga newsboys dito sa Visayas, pina-party nila complete with umbrellas, t-shirts and bags.

Pero ganoon pa rin, mahina pa rin ang sales.

Kasi yon ibang dealers inis-SNOB nila.

Silently these dealers retaliated by hiding the BULLETIN copies.

By: dung markus

dung markus — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:20:38 +0000

THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO BOYCOTT THE BULLETIN!

There are probably thousands of Filipino photography enthuiasts. If we count all their friends and relatives, this could be millions.

The BULLETIN earns money thru its ads. If we boycott it, their sales go down and so does the ads.

At the moment the INQUIRER no. 1, the STAR is no. 2
and the BULLETIN is no. 3. By boycotting we could make the BULLETIN no. “LAST” on the broadsheets sales survey.

LET US MAKE OUR VOICES be HEARD! BOYCOTT THE BULLETIN!

By: Kraven castillo

Kraven castillo — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:16:34 +0000

MB is filing a counter suit to intimidate Anton.
its their strongest defense for now. they assume that Anton will be bluffed by their complaint, and they hope that anton will either go for settlement or just drop the case.

its just part of their strategy. there is a high possibility that if Anton does not back out, they will ask for a settlement.

and if this happens, its going to be your call anton. as they have said, this is a landmark case.
anything that will happen here will be remembered.

By: Tanikalang Ginto Blog » Blog Archive » Philippine Photographer Sues Major Newspaper

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:20:47 +0000

[...] Manila Bulletin files counter suit against photoblogger. [...]

By: Benjamin Molina

Benjamin Molina — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:03:22 +0000

i for one will no longer be buying manila bulletin.

By: dinno19

dinno19 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:08:30 +0000

What? Fair use? They’re kidding right? WTF!

By: rodel

rodel — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:57:50 +0000

can’t wait to here more of this.. ::) a bit scary pero worth the fight..

By: Marie Casas

Marie Casas — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:42:27 +0000

How terribly creative of the MB legal team. Seriously, they should just settle and compensate the photo source. Local “big” companies are really such big fat bullies; no wonder a lot of SMEs and freelancers don’t want to bother even asserting their rights in the first place.
Go Anton!

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:57:50 +0000

Manila Bulletin could have easily avoided this by publishing an errata, citing the lack of attribution for the original photos. Real newspapers do that all the time — mistakes are unavoidable, given the deadlines of putting the paper to bed. But, nooo, the Bulletin cannot be bothered with that little inconsequential detail.

Their fair use defense is laughable. IANAL, but I seem to recall that fair use is for criticism (for example) and adding new value to the body of knowledge as a whole. In my opinion, this one is a clear and blatant duplication of the original — an infringement — and cannot be defensible under the fair use doctrine.

By: joel chavez

joel chavez — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:31:19 +0000

i agree with mr patrick that this is a just a their (MB) to intimidate Anton to back down. instead of settling which would be admitting to the theft!
“That’s just Manila Bulletin’s way of intimidating Anton to drop the lawsuit. If Anton backs down because of it, that’s going to be a big blow to the entire bloggingcommunity kasi matatakot na ang lahat mag-upload ng digital content nila online.” -patrick e.

By: Benjie Lope

Benjie Lope — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:44:06 +0000

If anyone still gets the Manila Bulletin, scan one of their page 1 photos and use it for an article that the photo doesn’t suggest. Hey, why don’t everyone do that. Fair use.

By: JC John SESE Cuneta

JC John SESE Cuneta — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:02:10 +0000

I wonder what is “fair use” when stealing images.

By: Mike Abundo

Mike Abundo — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:12:47 +0000

This is why nobody reads the Bulletin anymore.

By: jamie

jamie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:55:12 +0000

TEAM ANTON!!!

By: Manila Bulletin countersues Blogger | Pinoy Problogger

Manila Bulletin countersues Blogger | Pinoy Problogger — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:55:04 +0000

[...] Abe reports that the Manila Bulletin has countersued blogger Anton Sheker as a repsonse to his suit claiming that the Manila Bulletin published one of his photos without his permission. The Manila Bulletin is reportedly claiming “fair use” when it published the photos. [...]

By: Patrick Everett

Patrick Everett — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:03:41 +0000

That’s just Manila Bulletin’s way of intimidating Anton to drop the lawsuit. If Anton backs down because of it, that’s going to be a big blow to the entire bloggingcommunity kasi matatakot na ang lahat mag-upload ng digital content nila online.

By: Dennison Uy

Dennison Uy — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:21:40 +0000

Does anyone have a copy of MB’s response? I’m interested in how they are handling this issue. Most likely in instances like this, it is the fault of one person rather than the company, so I wonder why this developed into a counter suit banking on “fair use”.

By: chamicday

chamicday — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:35:43 +0000

how can MB be so arrogant? but then if you’re big and have been used to bullying,you ignore RULES like copyright. i agree about simply paying up–how much is a contributor’s photo these days? they probably pay a measly 100-200 pesos. PDI pays 250 for contributors so I don’t think that’s too far away from MB’s price. anton would probably price his work much higher and it would be his right,of course. but MB would rather sue? such arrogance! go ahead anton and do them in. this will be an interesting case to watch. good luck out there.

By: kat

kat — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:27:06 +0000

anton,you should go ahead and meet MB head on. i agree with all the previous comments. MB doesn’t have a case. they are simply used to bullying and being big.and they’ve probably done this in the past but nobody as much as whimpered. rock and roll!

By: blozoom!

blozoom! — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:12:31 +0000

oh ano? simulan na ang call for MB boycott? marami pa namang ibang classifieds out there. saka wala naman laman ang panorama. LOL

By: Gerry Alanguilan

Gerry Alanguilan — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:09:05 +0000

Hello.

I know that Anton has said that he’s not going to make any comment at this point (Reply #13), and it’s only right.

But I do hope he pursues this further. “Fair Use” doesn’t apply in this case. You only have to use your common sense. Manila Bulletin does not have a case. They’re acting like a big bully corporation trying to step on a hapless civilian, hoping he would go away. But really, they’ve got NOTHING. They’re bluffing and I hope Anton calls them on it.

It’s the classic case of “Sya na ang gumawa ng mali, sya pa ang galit.”

By: blozoom!

blozoom! — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:02:27 +0000

that mb! i will no longer buy that daily. anyhow puro classifieds lang naman laman nung paper nila. mag online claasifieds ads na lang tayo. not that i do buy dailies nowadays. MB is so proud, why not admit that they erred. iba talaga pag may armada of lawyers.