Krathong not infringing copyright of San-X: police

By The Nation

 

Wirachai Songmetta

 

TAC Consumer, the copyright agent of San-X in Thailand, has confirmed that the krathong made by 15-year-old girl was not an infringement of its copyright, Deputy National Police Commissioner Pol General Wirachai Songmetta told the press today (November 8) after meeting representatives from the company.

 

On November 3, the story of a 15-year-old girl from Nakhon Ratchasima province selling krathong in the shapes of popular Japanese characters was shared on social media, men claiming to be the copyright agents in Thailand made a buy, then got the girl arrested by police. The girl was ordered to pay a Bt50,000 fine.

 

 

 

“According to the documentary evidence, the shape of the face and ears on the krathong are not similar to Rilakkuma's, the character under the copyright of San-X,” said Wirachai.

 

“In addition, if the company noticed an infringement of its copyright, it would have issued a warning letter twice to the party involved before sending their representatives to take legal action”.

 

 

He said Prajak Photipol, the representative from Verisec who claimed to be the San-X copyright agent in Thailand, had terminated the contract and has no rights to a arrest or fine.

 

“We will meet him and his manager to investigate if this was a case of extortion or perjury,” he said.

 

Recently, A Nation TV reporter went to Verisec, located on the 23rd floor of the MThai Tower in Witthayu road. The reporter found the rented office empty besides a messenger picking up documents sent to the premises.

 

Related Story:

 

Twist in case of girl’s arrest over krathong character

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30378186

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-11-09

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28 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

men claiming to be the copyright agents in Thailand made a buy, then got the girl arrested by police.

And men claiming to be police extorted 20K from a car shop earlier.

It's very confusing living in Thailand; even the Good Guys are Bad guys.

Looks like the girl may have a case for defamation.

Ask for minimum Bt50,000.

Meanwhile, the copyright owners of Japanese classic children's cartoon "Vicky the Viking" should contemplate measures against one of Thailand's leaders. After all, he bears a striking resemblance to one of the cartoon series' characters and, thus, could be considered a copyright infringement in his own persona.

 

 

Edited November 9, 20196 yr by Misterwhisper

Hmmm... I understand the copyright violation as they do sort of look like him. ????????????

Dispicable. They just can't help themselves. A child! How many have they succeeded in extorting money from? 

Still wondering if that Immigration TM 30 cartoon video with the Henry Mancini Pink Panther music had a license for its use?  But no time to investigate that. Too busy tracking down 15 year-old girls at the behest of fake agents.

Although I agree with the sentiments expressed above in terms of the fraud/misrepresentation of the 'copyright agents', I am equally concerned about the gradual demise of Thai culture. Whether you agree with animism (the idea of a water goddess) or not, I once regarded the Loi Krathong festival as a beautiful example of honoring traditional beliefs. Floating bits of cartoon c**p like this makes a mockery of the whole thing!