City Center Kolkata is using my picture for advertisement without my Permission.

8:14 AM


As you all know I have been keeping very busy with the humongous  task of shifting base to a new city and among all these madness last week I discovered that one of my photos (from the blog) is being used for advertising by a very famous chain of malls.

City Center is a very big chain of malls situated at places like Salt Lake (Kolkata), New Town(Kolkata), Siliguri (WestBnegal) and many more coming up in other states as well. I saw the advertisement on Times of India, where they used my Nolen Gurer Sandesh Picture to advertise their Bengali Sweets Festival as part of their Bengali New Year Festival Called 'Hullor'.

I don't blame The group behind the mall but the Advertising agency who has conveniently stolen this picture, cleverly photoshopped it to get rid of the background and the copyright information and shamelessly avoided mentioning the source. I am really pissed off with this gesture and planning to send them mail asking for apologies and damages. 
I have added the Screenshot of the e-Paper at the top. The Link to my post is HERE whereas you can find the Online advertisement on the 34th page of 15th April'11-Times of India (Kolkata Edtion).


Update: I am not sure if Times of India has anything to do with this, as it was an paid advertisement by City Center authority. and again most probably They also dont have any idea of this theft. As much as I can guess this is done by the advertising agency who is handling their public relations and media coverage.What irritates me is they earn huge money by making and posting advertisements but they fail to recognize other's work.

Tags:
Plagiarism.

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43 comments

  1. indosungodApril 24, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    It is absolutely shameful but the Times of India is a big offender, stealing a lot of pictures from bloggers.

    Hopefully you have written to them. Do it no matter what the response is and post the letter on the blog as well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ArundhutiApril 24, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Oh no Sayantani!! This is so disgusting....in january my patishapta pithey's foto was published in Times of India without my permission....so it's nothing new for this publishing house...i had sent nummerous mails...but no reply...so i know how it feels...these people are absolutely shameless...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kalyan KarmakarApril 24, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    you should

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anjali KoliApril 24, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Times of India Chor hai! BOOO ~~~ I was also a victim once Sayantani. Go after them.

    ReplyDelete
  5. sangeetaApril 24, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Disgusting...but it has happened with me before , and it will keep happening.
    Most of us ( Indians i mean )think that supporting Anna Hazare is a different thing and lifting anything from anywhere for our convenience in another...shameful..

    Summon them ..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mina JoshiApril 24, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    This must be so heart breaking for you. I hope you manage to sue them!! In future, just splash your blog address right across your pictures so thay can't be copied.

    ReplyDelete
  7. SharmilaApril 24, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Keep mailing them. Better ... write to other newspapers too ... it works. All the best.

    ReplyDelete
  8. NithuApril 24, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    That's not fair. You should definitely question them. Let us know what they said.

    ReplyDelete
  9. jayasreeApril 24, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Oh its disgusting. TOI keeps stealing pics from bloggers. Hope you get some response from them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. PreetiApril 25, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    This is absolutely disgusting...fairness ka jamana nahi hai suna hai, but times jaise company ki ye durgati hai ye abhi pata laga...why are you thinking...call them up , send email and note their response..ask for claims!! Read Arundhati's comment as well....guys is there any solution to plagiarism by such people? We need to get together and think. Sayantani, tumi jeno Times ke sue korte paro, do it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hamaree RasoiApril 25, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    dekhe bishshah holo na je City Center er moton renowned chain eirokom korte pare !!! Definitely wrong on TOI's part also. Why don't these people acknowledge other's work. Simply disgusting.
    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

    ReplyDelete
  12. SwathiApril 25, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    there some people who doesn't care about other's hard work. try to contact through e-mail until you get reply.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Priya SureshApril 26, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    Thats soo shameful, hope u wont leave them, should write asking how dare they took ur picture without ur permission..hope they will do something soon..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sayantani Mahapatra MudiApril 26, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    I am not sure if Times of India has anything to do with this, as it was an paid advertisement by City Center authority. and again most probably They also dont have any idea of this theft. As much as I can guess this is done by the advertising agency who is handling their public relations and media coverage.What irritates me is they earn huge money by making and posting advertisings but they fail to recognize other's work.

    I am mailing them asking for clarification. and will definitely update the post with the happenings

    Thanks again to all of you for boosting my moral.

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownApril 26, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Sayantani, that is really sad and bad. I think you should let them know and either give you credit for the picture AND pay you for it OR remove the pic completely. But they should still pay you for the pic that is already in prints.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jaya MApril 27, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    Sayantani,
    Most of the time these people who do these theft business think that if it's in internet then it's absolutely free....Do keep writing to them and also to the administration at City Centre.(tumi CC te Giye nijey dekha koro) Hope you get your due credits soon ..hugs and smiles

    ReplyDelete
  17. MadhuApril 27, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    I dont get this! How long would it have taken for them to ask for your permission?! I am sure you would have only been sooo glad! Absolutely shameful.

    ReplyDelete
  18. HaddockApril 29, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    About three years ago the times of India (Pune Times) used one of my pictures on their front page with out asking me or giving credit. (from my Flickr accout) When confronted the HR guy was all smooth talk and apologetic and said "we tried to find out but can't figure out from where the picture came"
    They knew that I had no time for a legal battle so took advantage of it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sanctified SpacesMay 2, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Just thinking of you today Sayantani.Hope you nab the culprits.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hamaree RasoiMay 3, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    Dear Sayantani,
    Hope you have settled down down by now. Shob carton boxes khola holo? How is your Prince? Amar aador diyo.
    Regarding Kanji, tumi jodi ei spicy drink ta taste koro I'm sure you will love it. Jodiyo eta black carrot diye darun hoye still you can replace it with RED carrots only. Orange diye bhalo hobe na khete.
    Deepa

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hamaree RasoiMay 3, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Ei shomaye to Kolkataye kal boishakhi cholchey tai you the kanji jar won't get enough sunlight for fermentation so better wait till you get sunny days. This jar needs 5-6 days enough sunshine before you put it in refrigerator for later use.
    Deepa

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMay 4, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    this is really shameful but not new, even one of my article was stolen by udaipur times, I asked the editor to remove it...

    blog scrappers are making money by stealing articles and pics ...

    best is to put watermark in the centre of image, and keep high res.pic in your db so taht u can confront if needed be.

    and one more, post it on Fb, it may work

    ReplyDelete
  23. ArchanaMay 4, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Oh no! I am sorry. The best thing will be to make a noise about it to City Centre and make a noise about it in other widely circulated papers not just TOI!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Rani acharyuluMay 4, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    This is really shameful,you don't leave these people.Keep mailing them.
    Thanks for drop in my space.You have lovely space with wonderful recipes.
    cheers
    rani

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sarah NaveenMay 5, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Shameless People...U know what this is even happening within the blogging circle , copying recipes and putting as their own..One gal even copy my grandmas recipes and says its hers...hahahha...But dear i tell you , one day they all get back for what they do..Period!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. UrmiMay 6, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    I think you should report it to all the newspapers to take action. Its really bad to use somebody's picture withour his/her knowledge. I am sure you will get justice.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ushnish GhoshMay 6, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Dear Sayantani
    How are you? It is really disgusting but nothing much can be done legally I guess.Anyway thieves are thieves.
    I was in calcutta from 21st to 24th April but did not know how to contact you ..May be next time ..
    Have a nice weekend

    ReplyDelete
  28. KalyaniMay 10, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    that really bad on timesofindia .... u should report them ....

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownMay 10, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    that is a rip!! quite unscrupulous in their ways! sorry for you experience!

    ReplyDelete
  30. HayleyMay 11, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    Such a shame on them..you keep going girl after them..!

    ReplyDelete
  31. RaksMay 16, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    So unfair :( DO something,we are there for your support if any needed!

    ReplyDelete
  32. IndraniMay 17, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    There are some awards waiting for you..PL. collect

    ReplyDelete
  33. M DMay 18, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    This is crazy injustice Sayantani. You should fight against Plagiarism. It's offensive to see such stuffs. And yes these guys earn huge money thru advertisement. You should demand compensation for the same.

    ReplyDelete
  34. MandiraMay 18, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    This is utterly shameful. Please let us know how we can help.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Ushnish GhoshMay 20, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Dear Sayantani
    Feel reading your comment. How are you? I am sure you have settled down by now.
    I shall take the pat saag jhol recipe from you. Getit from Mom.
    Bhalo theko

    ReplyDelete
  36. Shilpi BoseMay 22, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    I can understand how you feel. At least you noticed this theft many a time we are blissfully unaware of such thefts.When agencies take the legal route they have to pay a hefty sum for such images. I was just informed by my brother that recently an agency paid Rs.55,000/- for exclusive rights to an image. Do you know the name of the agency? Do not take this lying down.

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousMay 30, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Hi Santayani,
    If you know the name e name of the agency, i can help ou get the contacts. Please dont take this lying down - they make lakhs of rupees on each ad. Also, they all buy images from professionals! so make sure you go after tham. I have an advertising background and can help

    ReplyDelete
  38. AnonymousMay 30, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    and PLEASE put it on facebook! better still. get all food bloggers together and begin a TOI vhor hai accgroup on fb! it works wonders, trust me!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Lena JayadevJune 1, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    its so paining when others takes credit of our work... i hope you have informed them..

    ReplyDelete
  40. SarmisthaJune 10, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    use watermarks on all your photos and creations.It clearly proves that these ad people have lost all their creativity and imaginations to us bloggers. I chanced upon your blog today.It is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Shilpi BoseJune 12, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    Did you receive any response?
    I have been meaning to ask you but was unable to because of the glitches and interruption with the internet as well as my computer
    However if my computer and internet behaves, I have a suggestion there is a facebook page for an advertising programme All About Ads, I was wondering whether I could give a link to this particular post of yours on this All About Ads, you see people from the advertising world are regular visitors here. It would highlight this cheating. Did you find out the name of the advertising agency?

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Thieving bastards...spread the word, let others know what they really are.

    ReplyDelete
  43. CindyJuly 29, 2013 at 8:28 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

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