Photographer’s Claims of Copyright Infringement Spark Debate on Online Platforms’ Over-Assertion of Rights
Beijing, China – Visual China Group (VCG), a prominent Chinese photo agency, finds itself embroiled in a heated controversy as it seeks compensation from renowned astrophotographer Dai Jianfeng, also known as Jeff Dai, for alleged copyright violations. Dai, who boasts a substantial online following, took to social media to accuse VCG of demanding payment for 173 photographs that he had taken himself and never uploaded to the agency’s platform. The dispute has rekindled discussions on copyright ownership and raised questions about VCG’s history of copyright overreach.
The Allegations and Counterclaims:
Dai Jianfeng publicly aired his grievances on Tuesday, asserting that VCG had contacted him to demand over 80,000 yuan for the use of images that he had not shared with the agency. He further revealed that VCG offered two options: a partnership agreement for 300 yuan per photo or a settlement where he would pay 500 yuan per photo. In response, VCG claimed that the images were rightfully licensed through a chain of authorizations: Dai licensed the photos to stock photo library Stocktrek Images, which then licensed them to Getty Images, and as VCG is Getty Images’ exclusive partner in China, it holds the right to sell these images.
The Disputed Copyright Ownership:
Legal experts, including Beijing-based lawyer Yue Shenshan, weighed in on the matter, contending that if Dai’s claims hold true, VCG’s actions could constitute a violation of the photographer’s copyright. While VCG maintained the legitimacy of its sales authorizations, Dai, supported by Stocktrek Images, refuted these assertions. The dispute has sparked a broader debate on the over-assertion of copyrights by major online platforms, such as VCG.
Online Support and Historical Context:
Dai’s case has garnered significant support from netizens, who have expressed concern over VCG’s alleged copyright overreach. This incident is not the first time VCG has been embroiled in copyright controversies. In 2019, the agency stirred debate when it claimed copyright ownership over the first-ever photograph of a black hole, along with the Chinese flag and national emblem. Many companies have also reported that their logos were erroneously listed as copyrighted VCG images. VCG and its subsidiaries were involved in more than 2,000 copyright violation lawsuits in 2017 and 2018.