Wales on Sunday settles with BNP over copyright

The wacky world of political reporting in Wales has taken a jaw-dropping turn into the surreal with the news that Wales on Sunday has reached an out-of-court settlement with the BNP over a copyright infringement (of all things). Holdthefrontpage.com an on-line publication which covers events in the newspaper industry, provides the details - many thanks to the contributor who sent the link.

11th March 2010
Regional publisher pays BNP over copyright breach
A regional newspaper has paid the British National Party £259.99 in an out-of-court settlement after an infringement of copyright.


A story which appeared in Wales on Sunday last November included a photograph of the party's West Wales deputy organiser Roger Phillips.


The BNP said the picture, which was taken by a party official, was used without permission by the Trinity Mirror weekly from Mr Phillips' page on a social networking website.


The far-right group claims the money is now being used to help fund the campaign of its candidate in the Neath constituency against Welsh Secretary and veteran anti-racism campaigner Peter Hain in the upcoming general election.


The original story claimed that Mr Phillips' company Patriot Products had been forced to stop the sale 'Golly' badges with football scarves following threats from Premiership football clubs.


A media spokesman for the BNP told HTFP: "The article used a photograph taken by BNP official Clive Bennett from Swansea which was lifted without authorisation from Mr Phillips' personal Facebook account.


"After correspondence between the editor of the Wales on Sunday, Tim Gordon, and Mr Phillips, the paper decided to settle out of court and agreed to pay the amount of £259.99 as compensation.


"Mr Phillips has now used this money to partly fund a BNP candidate in the Neath seat against Peter Hain.


A Trinity Mirror spokesman said the company would not be making any comment on the story.

What the article doesn't unfortunately doesn't mention is that Phillips fled his Ammanford address after the original Golly badges story was first published and was alleged to be hiding out in a caravan somewhere in deepest Kidwelly. Photos and comment from the shy fascist were therefore hard to come by. But it just goes to show that its not just Max Mosely who can successfully screw the press after doing Nazi impressions.