Amlak Cribs My Work
I stepped out the door on Friday and found my weekly “complimentary” issue of the Amlak newspaper sitting on my front doorstep. (I put “complimentary” in quotes because while it is free, I neither want it nor read it.) As I was preparing to toss it in the trash (as usual), I noticed that the picture that they used for the main story looked rather familiar.
Turns out Amlak cribbed my work. They didn’t even bother citing me as the author. Basically they’ve committed a copyright violation (which is nothing new in Jordan, I assure you). Had they asked, I probably would have said yes. But now I’m not sure whether I should be flattered or upset.
Dave December 2nd, 2007 8:47 am
By the way, can anyone tell me what tamweel means?
Zzzzz December 2nd, 2007 9:23 am
i cant believe they stole your work….somebody has to stop this…
and tamweel means to provide ” financial aid “
Dave December 2nd, 2007 9:46 am
Ah, thanks, Zzzzz.
Tololy December 2nd, 2007 11:00 am
The bastards! Send them a link to this post just to let them know you’ve publicized this.
Tamweel means “funding.”
T December 2nd, 2007 1:16 pm
I presume you mean ‘complementary’! Spelling Dave!!! T
Moey December 2nd, 2007 3:07 pm
F***, as usual… just email them! with the link
MommaBean December 2nd, 2007 3:41 pm
Congrats? Seriously from what I’ve seen, copyright? What’s copyright? I think you should SUE man! Wait, can you even do that here? Flattered and offended at the same time is quite a combination…
Hal December 2nd, 2007 3:43 pm
I say just be flattered. It’s great pic. And the losers couldn’t even be bothered to go take a pic of the city themselves. They used a pic taken by an American. I find that funny.
Just be flattered, knowing your pic is probably better than anything they could have come up with.
Then, when you’re done being flattered, sue their asses.
Qabbani December 2nd, 2007 3:59 pm
Congrats man
,
Dave December 2nd, 2007 4:20 pm
I guess I could send them the link, but I doubt they would pay much attention. If they spoke English, that is.
And T, I meant complimentary, as in gratis or something given or supplied without charge.
Although technically, your meaning would be just as apropos, assuming they are complementing me. 
The Observer December 2nd, 2007 5:54 pm
That is funny! Good catch man! heheh
Firas December 2nd, 2007 6:54 pm
The photo caption reads: Dave is a great photographer,his blog is amazing, he is energetic,smart,athletic and most likely to finish three mansaf first and finish his cousins off at any family-fight reunion. (You can’t read Arabic, right?)
Actually you should be proud, since it’s not the first photo that appeared on flickr if you search Amman, so they’ve chosen it over other.
Maybe send them a link of http://www.gettyimages.com
kinzi December 2nd, 2007 7:33 pm
Yea, I join the crowd saying be flattered AND upset, and do something. I’ve been wondering about the whole copyright thing on blogs lately these days, it’s worth pursuing.
Mazz December 2nd, 2007 9:34 pm
like you said, copyright violations aren’t new to jordan. i’ve had my work published without authorization or citing me as the author as well…it doesn’t get easier…
if you think you’ve got the time, take it to court.
but here’s the rule i like to follow when it comes to my photos.
newspapers, articles that are meaningful, take’m for free just stick my name in there
other than that “i.e. profit oriented” kiss it !
Moey December 3rd, 2007 1:02 am
I buzzed them a nice email on amlak.jo
Dave December 3rd, 2007 9:26 am
Firas, but they left out the “extremely good looking” part. That’s unforgivable.
Moey, thanks dude. Let me know if you hear back from them.
Jad December 3rd, 2007 2:19 pm
I’d sue them for that.
T December 3rd, 2007 3:42 pm
Actually we are both right! Usually we English use ‘complementary’ for something that is free and ‘complimentary’ if it is praiseworthy. T
Ahmad Humeid December 4th, 2007 12:47 am
I would send them a letter (preferably to the editor in chief) and demand payment.
Dave December 4th, 2007 6:24 am
T, we Americans are the exact opposite. Of course.
Ahmad, I’m not even sure what the going rate for a photograph in a newspaper or periodical is in Jordan. I have a friend who works at The Jordan Times, however, so I supposed I could find out.
An American in Jordan » Blog Archive » The Amlak Saga Continues September 3rd, 2008 5:07 pm
[...] in December I wrote about how Amlak, the real estate advertising company, took one of my pictures from online and used it without payment or permission on the front page of their weekly [...]