Glutton Queen In The Star
Oct 22nd, 2008 by Clare
I was in Penang after my convocation ceremony on Saturday when I came across my food blog post in the national daily. I was flipping through The Star in my hotel room (at Sunway Hotel) after attending mass at Our Lady of Sorrow Church in Penang when I saw familiar pictures on the bottom of page M5 - of Ruby’s butter scotch prawn, butter cheese baby kailan and salad sotong!
“HEY! THE STAR PLAGIARIZED MY ARTICLE! COPYRIGHT RESERVED WEI!” was the words that came out from my mouth after I read the first few paragraphs. (Read the online version here)
I mean, yes, you don’t get to be featured in the newspaper everyday, never mind the national daily, unless you’re a politician who says something stupid lar but I don’t feel bangga (proud) or flattered that my article was published!
“Why not?”
Simply because they didn’t have my permission to do so!
I’d be more than willing to let them publish my post if they had the courtesy to e-mail me to ask for permission first. Are they allowed to do that, i.e. publishing other people’s article without seeking permission from the author? Do I have the rights to take legal action in this case? What say you guys?
What’s new? These unprofessional amateurs steal things from all over…because they can’t write anything of their own. When I was writing books, I was so angry to see my passages and stuff appearing in other people’s and publishers’ books - only the names of the characters had been changed. I wouldn’t mind if they had acknowledged the source, at least…like in ur case!
That’s so unprofessional of The Star to do that!
Yes, it was
Hi Clare,
Still r’member me? I’m ur x-Pdt …=) Actually…u can sue them is just that how r u going to prove it that they steal ur article. Maybe this link could help you: http://www.agc.gov.my/agc/oth/Akta/Vol.%207/Act%20301.pdf
i study the same thing but did not make a practice on it so i guess i couldnt help you much…maybe if you have friends taking laws they couls help you. Glad to know that you could write this good blog(its very natural). maybe you can consider to do part time writer… =)
Anyway, re-consider, its a good thing though as it makes publicity of course to them and don’t forget, d pics contains ur nick name on it. if dat person is clever enough, sure will make a search on it.
i try that and it links to ur blogs, arent that publicity as well….
chao…take care, will visit ur blog whn i’m free.
OMG!!! THEODORA!!! Long time no see!
Welcome to my blog! So nice to see you here 
IMHO, publicity is one thing, another thing is, they used my article without my permission and gained profit (they sold the newspaper mar) from it while I don’t get a dime. That alone already sound very wrong.
By the way, I’ll e-mail you my contact number. Do keep in touch ya!
SUE.
If you have the time. If not demand them to issue an apology. Or something like that.
Apology only? I deserved a compensation lar! Because they gained profit from selling the newspaper in which my article was published.
u really do have a case against them, I’d suggest u seek legal help the sooner the better
Problem is, I don’t know how to go about it or who to look for and all that
I wouldn’t make too much of a fuss out of it initially, but the more I read suituapui’s comment, the more I feel it’s unfair. To think that these columnists/journalists are hired to do work for the papers and just because they have nothing better to write, they extract people’s work for use without written consent. What’s making it worse is the fact that they are using other people’s article to make up for their salary.
The interesting part here is that, they actually link back to the source website. I was just wondering on what is the legality of this. I have to admit, I do use images I extract from other sites but I do put a “Courtesy of…” remark below the picture. So, I am still pondering on the legality of this issue.
…and when the columnist took something from thedroolteam.blogspot.com a couple of weeks ago, she said Sibu’s in Sabah! An outright exhibition of her ignorance! Gee! How did she get her job?
Apparently, the author Renita Che Wan, took blog posts from here and there and published them in The Star Metro Sunday (I searched for her articles, those are what I found) I read with great interest the article about Sibu is in Sabah too!
The Star should fire her and get you to write that column instead. I’m sure you can write better and more original (like DUH!)
Ask them to compensate you!
Can sue yes. But win the case?.. not sure. How much money do you have to spend on laywers?
write in an official letter demanding for compensation or else legal action will be taken. perhaps you can look for orlando to handle your case.
how could a big player in the market steals other people work? it is so unethical, really ‘ngong ngiang’.
Hi Clare,
You definitely have a case there. But I do not advise dragging the matter to court, given the unduly delay and the fuss it may probably take. Seek legal advise from the professional, send them a letter of demand, for the credits of photos or an apology (but not practical), or better still, monetary compensation since those photos are, afterall, yours.
If you’re around in Sibu, you may try Belvie’s cousin. Can negotiate with her and I’m sure she’s more than willing to help if it is a good case.
Just my two cents. Hope it helps.
I read that too and thought The Star had your permission. That’s very unethical for The Star writer to plagiarise your work. I think they must ask for your permission and pay you some money first. You should get The Star to apologise and pay you compensation, or else sue them kau kau!
hey!! that’s nice. it promotes your readership. anyway, it’s the same like writing a thesis (of course on a different scale) she mentioned the source, quoted your exact words and republished the article that you published to the public. and did you mention copyright anywhere on your site?
just my two cents. how’s everything? can’t wait to see you soon!
Of course I did! Read my ‘Term of Use’ page. Even though it is on clareng.com, gluttonqueen is a sub-domain for clareng.com so the Term of Use still applies. By the way she didn’t quote the exact words, she edited 10% of what I originally wrote!
Hey.. i think it’s a priviledge that your article got published!
anyway, do you happen to know that journalist who compiled your article?
No, I don’t know who the heck is that. All I know is that she stole my article and published it to make money!
Then ppl from The Star will ask the bloggers, did they ask permission when posting an news excerpt from The Star Online on their blog?
Sue them and get the money to ‘belanja’ everyone who has commented here! Nice business proposal, ya!
please sue them .. kene ajar sikit nih ..
legal fees costs quite a lot
Set your own life more simple get the home loans and everything you require.