Grrr...Russian Magazine Stole 2 of my photos

[jid]

Ah young Boris Sharps, don't be letting Dano have a pop at you now! We really enjoyed our Russian experience

Let us know how you get on James.

Comrade Jid.

[RobinB]

I would agree with the "direct and diplomatic" approach, and I would address my correspondence to the editor in chief - perhaps he/she is not aware of the "pirated pic" and thus puts pressure on the editor to "clean up their act".

So, they then return your correspondence with an apology and your payment - case closed. If not, step two. Repeat letter with copy to Publishers (all of this is at no cost to yourself). Now, logic says that the publishers have more than one publication on their books - thus we now have more players involved. If the publishers take no action and ignore you - we start playing one off against the other and involve local news papers. IE: "So Mr Publishing Company, you CONDONE the use of pirated material by your clients, what kind of a reputable company are you then ? So, who else has been ripped off by your clients"?

Still no response, so you start going public via the web and start getting reaction as you are getting via this forum. As they say, the pen is mightier than the sword. And then we start "blacklisting" said publication - IE: I'm NEVER going to buy your mag at any price - and of course your try and get some ground swell on this.

This "strategy" is based on experience which my work buddy employed with a local car dealer who crashed his car while it was in for a service and said dealer ignored his request for compensation. My work buddy ended up with a new vehicle (they traded in his old and damaged vehicle for a new and better vehicle for the same repayments on his old vehicle - which he had purchased from them origionally) after the amount of public participation on his web site caused much pain. Suddenly, there were other customers of this dealer who did not like their service. Wow, we had "dailly entertainment" - it went so far as their MD calling our MD re my buddy, and our MD told their MD to "take a hike" - PS: that dealer closed down about a year ago. All of this at no cost to him - just correspondence which became public after no reaction from said dealer. Will this work - who know's but could be fun trying.

Good luck and let's see what comes out of this saga. PPS: I have been contacted by two magazines who wanted to publish two of my pics - my terms are very easy. No cash needed, one day I'll be in town and you will afford me a day's unlimited shooting at your airport/facilities - so, when ever I get to the Dutch Historic Aviation facilities and one of the UK equivelents, I'm in for a days shooting "on the house".