Society of online news providers, crackdown on using content

[hhfarang]

Mods: Does the announcement below affect HHAD, i.e., can HHAD get into trouble if a member copys/pastes a news article from one of the listed news agencies into this forum?

"SONP announced-

-13 major Thai news sources (English and Thai language) have joined together to form the "Society for Online News Providers" (SONP).

The formation of the SONP is aimed primarily at protecting the proprietary material of news websites. Post Publishing states, the SONP members will allow other websites to copy a headline plus 100-150 characters from a news item, ONLY if it is in a RSS feed.

The "Society for Online News Providers" (SONP) comprises:

The Nation Multimedia Group
Post Publishing
ASTV Manager
Thai Rath Online
Daily News Online
Matichon
Siam Sport
INN Online
Thansettakij Online
Dara Daily Online
Nawnha Online
Siam Rath Online
Thai Post Online

Quote from the SONP:

"While the formation of the Online News Producers Club was aimed primarily at protecting the proprietary material of news websites, it may underline the readiness of the print-media industry, which also operates most of the top news websites, to find a firmer commercial foothold in cyberspace"

Post Publishing (publishers of Bangkok Post) has updated their policy here:
www.bangkokpost.com/republishingpolicy

With regards to displaying news stories or quotes on websites, forums, blogs, etc, etc ONLY the HEADLINE may be quoted with a LINK to the article."

[Wanderlust]

I don't actually think they can do anything legally, but the way around it will just mean that they won't be credited as the source. So many news items are virtually identical and I really can't see them policing every blog, forum or website to see if someone has copy/pasted something. I'm pretty sure the legal powers that be won't be interested as the law covering stuff like this is in its infancy in the Western world, let alone this internet challenged country. I also wonder what they expect to get out of it? If any of those press listed ask me for my opinion in the street I think I will ask for money up front before giving it!

[PeteC]

If you noticed yesterday in the 'HH Train Wreck' photos I posted, The Nation has started to print their name in very small letters across the photo. If you go back and look you should be able to see it. This is something I didn't notice as little as a few weeks ago with other photos I posted from their site. Pete

[Wanderlust]

Yeah I did notice it, but I saw those same photos elsewhere on the internet without it. I just don't see the point of it all really. What are the news outlets in that list really trying to achieve?

[PeteC]

I'm sure it has to do with advertising, and the more hits they can prove the better their pitch/fees to potential advertisers.

I can't see any other reason. Pete

[buksida]

Mods: Does the announcement below affect HHAD, i.e., can HHAD get into trouble if a member copys/pastes a news article from one of the listed news agencies into this forum?

Very unlikely since HHAD cites and links to the source (most of the time). All these news websites want are visitors following their links so they can generate page views and ad impressions. Anyone can quickly re-edit a story in a few minutes that is running the same on all of them anyway so there is no logic in enforcing this.

What they don't want are competing sites nicking their original content and photos ... and what website would?

[charlesh]

I personally think crediting sources is OK . You can quickly ID who the dullards are amongst the info dispensers and as for "anonymous" who seems to be omnipresent nowadays in the printed and electronic media would he/she/they please stand up!