Photographer Matolka receives BT’s reply about ‘stolen photos’

The National State Broadcasting Company has replied to photographer Anton Matolka who complained about ‘stolen photos’. Matolka saw his own photos of the northern lights on Belarus-1 on March 18. The author of the photos was not mentioned and nobody had asked him for permission to use the pictures.

The photos were stolen, Anton Matolka claimed. He sent a letter to the National State Broadcasting Company and complained about a copyright violation and moral damage. He demanded a public apology from Belarus-1, 10 million roubles of moral compensation and Br5 million 400 thousand for the violation of copyright.

The photo was accessible one the Internet for free and the author did not forbid using it, head of the National State Broadcasting Company Henadz Davydzka replied. That is why he calls Matolka’s claim ‘groundless’. He referred to the Law on Copyright and the Law on Mass Media.

Anton Matolka is going to find a lawyer and prepare to sue the company, he wrote in his blog.

Photo: Fotolia