Creative Commons in the South Caucasus

[onnik AT oneworld.am]

Hi Movses,

Thanks for the detailed response. I've sent a complaint to Yerevan  
Press Club as I'd much rather not settle this in court, but you're  
right, sooner or later the situation will only change when someone  
does take legal action.

Cheers,
Onnik

Quoting Movses Hakobyan <movses.hakobyan AT gmail.com>:

> Dear Onnik,
> It's really pity that your copyright is disregarded regularly by Armenian
> mass media that are supposed to be more law-abiding. However, as a matter of
> fact, protection of copyright shall be directed by rights holders themselves
> according to our legislation. I don't know whether you have time and desire
> to sue smb in the court of law but you could (I think) get assistance  from
> "Armauthor" NGO that has a huge and successful practice in dealing with such
> cases. Even if they would not be  in a position to provide legal assistance,
> I think you can hire a lawyer to rectify and restore your property rights.
>
> Concerning the CC application in Armenia, I shall note that in this case
> your authorship is evident (as for Law), on the other hand, copyright
> infringer too. Note that CC is not an alternative to traditional copyright
> but along with it. It means that there is no obstacles for you to defend
> your rights in a way provided by national legislation. Moreover, if there
> would be any ambiguity with exercising CC rights in the court, at this
> point, it will be beneficial for you because the court will turn to the
> basics of traditional copyright thus respondent will not be able to refer to
> freed rights of Copyright (if any) under CC trying to justify such
> unauthorized use of creative work.
> Finally, I am sure that after couple of demonstrative lawsuits especialy
> successful ones,  such terrible situation will be changed.
> I hope that nothing is missed.
> All the best
> *
> --
> Movses Hakobyan
> Internews' Center for Information Law and Policy*
>
> > From: Onnik Krikorian <onnik AT oneworld.am>
> > To: cc-south-caucasus AT lists.ibiblio.org
> > Date: Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:13:48 -0800
> > Subject: CC Violation by Armenian media outlet
> > Dear All,
> >
> > A1 Plus have broken the terms of my Creative Commons license two times in
> > the past week and refuse to do anything to rectify matters.
> >
> > http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=69595
> >
> > http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&iid=70028
> >
> > As adoption of CC in Armenia will be dependent on the ability to protect
> > materials, what to do next? Can this be a test cast to get resolved now or
> > do I have to take them to court and if so any suggestions?
> >
> > If CC and standard cannot be protected, what's the point?
> >
> > Cheers and thanks for any advice. Enough is enough and this isn't the only
> > example -- ArmenPress, Zhamanak, Hetq Online and others have done the same.
> >
> > --
> >
> >
> > Onnik Krikorian
> > ---
> > Oneworld Multimedia | http://www.oneworld.am
> >
> > The Frontline Club | http://frontlineclub.com/blogs/onnikkrikorian/
> >
> > Caucasus Regional Editor | http://www.globalvoicesonline.org
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Cc-south-caucasus AT lists.ibiblio.org
> > http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/cc-south-caucasus