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Design firm breaks silence over 'stolen' stamp photos

The stamp collection that potentially could land Pos Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia and a design firm in hot water is only a draft version.

Yes, you read that right.  

We received a statement late Monday night from Media Eye Sdn Bhd confirming that the stamps for the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 campaign designed by them were submitted as drafts to the two government agencies. 

We were told that the collection was still subject to changes before final approval.  

“As is the usual practice, all official stamps that will be released are subjected to the final approval of the relevant parties, and relevant approvals for their use will be obtained accordingly by World Communications Network Resources (M) Sdn Bhd as the agency commissioned to undertake this project,” according to the release.

Media Eye is the design house under World Communications Network Resources. 

The company is being linked to the stamp controversy where images from wildlife photographers were allegedly being used without permission.  Based on the company website, World Communications Network Resources was set up in 1994 and provides integrated corporate marketing communication services. The company is registered with the Finance Ministry, Institute of Public Relations Malaysia, Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies (4As), Malaysian Association of Creativity and Innovation and FINAS."

On Friday, we had published A REPORT about allegations made by a Filipino photographer, Romy Ocon, that a photo taken by him was being used without his permission in Pos Malaysia's latest stamp collection.   In an online photography forum, Romy had detailed how he found out and compared his original photo against a montage of Pos Malaysia stamps released under the Malaysian tourism campaign.  

READ: PHOTOGRAPHER CLAIMS POS MALAYSIA STOLE HIS PICTURE
READ: PHOTOGRAPHERS MULL LEGAL ACTION

Since then, reports have surfaced of an American photographer, Con Foley, confirming that one of his photographs was featured in Pos Malaysia’s collection as well,but he was not contacted or credited.   Both photographers are mulling legal action against the agencies involved.

Earlier on Monday, The Malay Mail reported that the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Perak also claims to have found five more images that could have been used without the consent of wildlife photographers.   

The media release, issued by one Kamarul Kamaruddin, further states, “The draft stamps have not been approved and have not been released yet. They are mere drafts and remain so.”  No contact number was provided in the press release, leaving us to email the company follow-up questions. 

After the controversy broke, we discovered that Pos Malaysia’s stamp division may have disabled its Facebook account. That particular page was the one which initially posted the photo of the upcoming VMY stamp collection. An online search for “Stamp Philately Pos Malaysia” showed the search results for the page, but when we clicked on the link, there was no such page on the social networking site.

Despite the media release's attempt to clear up some burning questions, there seems to be even more questions popping up as the controversy rages on.