Knowledge Networks Pays $300,000 Copyright Fine

Consumer information and research firm Knowledge Networks has agreed to pay a fine of $300,000 to settle a claim brought by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) that it distributed news articles to its employees without permission from the copyright owners.

The Association said that the San Francisco-based firm had distributed press packs internally that sometimes included copyright articles owned by The Associated Press, United Press International and Reed Elsevier without prior authorisation.

In a statement distributed by SIIA, Knowledge Networks said it regretted the actions and that it had disseminated copies of relevant newspaper and magazine articles in the belief that it was lawful to do so. 'We regret that those violations may have occurred and we are pleased that this matter has now been resolved.'

The company has now agreed to act proactively to avoid any recurrence, and this will involve educating executives on copyright compliance and licensing and ensuring that proper licenses are obtained for use of copyrighted materials.

'Knowledge Networks is a reputable company that made a very costly mistake,' commented SIIA attorney Scott Bain in a statement. 'We hope this will alert other users of copyrighted content such as newspaper articles, magazine articles, newsletters, newswire services and financial reports to the importance of securing proper licenses, even for internal copying and distribution.'

The settlement is the first under the SIIA's Corporate Content Anti-Piracy Programme, launched last October to deter breach of copyright and instruct companies about the need to establish compliance programmes.

SIIA offers rewards ranging from $500 to $1 million to individuals who report infringement by an organisation. The person who made the confidential tip-off about Knowledge Networks is receiving $6,000 under the reward programme.

Knowledge Networks has been in the news recently for a sponsorhip research partnership with rEvolution (www.mrweb.com/drno/news6988.htm ) and for a number of appointments building up its directory research practice and other divisions. The firm is online at www.knowledgenetworks.com.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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