Professional Photographer and blogger, Anton Sheker, is suing major daily giant, Manila Bulletin, for copyright infringement after the said publication used Sheker’s photos without any permission or credit on one of their issues last October 2007.

Sheker initially billed Manila Bulletin for the use of the pictures, but they refused to pay and negotiate. Months had passed with no developments, Sheker finally decided to settle the dispute on court, filing a Php1.2 Million copyright infringement lawsuit with his lawyer, Atty. Rod Vera, last June 5, 2008.

This case should serve as a lesson to everyone that not everything found on the internet can be taken for free without any consequence. Frankly, Manila Bulletin should have known better.

I also hope that this would pave the way for other oppressed copyright holders to have the courage to stand up and fight. If you are the one who made it, you have every right to defend it irregardless of what medium is used and where it was placed and taken.

Goodluck to Anton.

Read more about the issue:O

Original Story of infringement on Anton’s Blog
Who’s Got Your Shot – Press story by ABS-CBN Interactive