By: Maura Migliore
An interesting case of quite clear copyright infringement of online material happened this week in Italy (you might find an English version of the fact on the IPKat too). This news may give us food for thought that goes beyond the copyright issue as such and extends to the use of others’ works in the Internet era.
In the aftermath of Charlie Hebdo’s tragic events, “Corriere della Sera” – one of the most popular Italian newspapers – has decided to publish and market a printed book to raise funds for Charlie Hebdo (each copy is sold for €4.90 and the entire revenue is supposed to be donated to the satirical magazine). The book was prepared extremely quickly by collecting various cartoons which have appeared online in the very last days, in support of freedom of expression and against religious fanaticism.
Although the Corriere’s intent is undoubtedly laudable, a legal issue of no little significance has been immediately raised by most of the Italian cartoonists concerned and has outraged many people among the public: the cartoons were reproduced without asking permission to most of their authors. You might have a look at a drawing published by one of the angered cartoonists (the drawing says “I am not Corriere della Sera”).
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