Third blow to Pos Malaysia over stamp controversy

The plot thickens. Now a UK-based photographer has come out with fresh allegations that his photograph was ‘stolen’ and used in the controversial Visit Malaysia Year 2014 stamp collection.

Roberto De Micheli’s claim is the third blow to Pos Malaysia, which has been shoved into the spotlight over the past week after two other foreign photographers made similar damaging claims.

De Micheli told us that he was “miffed” that the agencies hired to design the stamps did not ask for permission to use his photograph of a Hornbill.

“I can surely confirm that no one has asked me for permission to use that image. To be honest, had someone asked nicely, I would have said "Yep no problem!", he told us in an email interview late Friday.

The 44-year-old photographer claimed that he had taken the photo at the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park in 2010.

He provided us with a comparison of the photo (see photograph), where his original image is placed at the top. “There are some subtle differences due to the post processing they have done,” he added.

When we asked him if he was going to take legal action against those involved, De Micheli said he would probably not pursue this aggressively. But he did say: ‘An apology would be enough’.

We understand that the stamp series' content is provided by the design agency commissioned to work with the Tourism and Culture Ministry, and Pos Malaysia then issues the series. The collection was scheduled for release next week, but we failed to confirm if the launch was still on.

The design agency in question is World Communications Network Resources Sdn Bhd, who told us that the collection was only a draft and subject to final approvals.

We managed to speak to a source close to the agency, who confirmed that the consultancy will meet with government agencies next week to resolve the matter.

“After they have solved the issue with the stakeholders, they will speak to the owners of the photographs to tackle the copyright issue,” said this source, who wanted to remain anonymous.

We also understand that Jaffri Amin Osman, the controlling shareholder of the agency, would be attending this meeting.

We learnt that there might have been some confusion within the agency, in getting consent to use those wildlife images, as some designers had claimed that they got permission from the photographers, while others did not.

Meanwhile, De Micheli said it was not the first time that such alleged theft happened to him, but was surprised that a government agency was involved.

“I loved spending time as tourist in Malaysia. But it was relatively easy to see that IP (intellectual property) protection is not taken seriously there. I remember going in a mall and seeing a shop selling pirated DVDs in plain light.

“You can of course find people selling pirated stuff in Western countries as well but they’re isolated guys on the lookout for the police. Not entire shops,” he added.

De Micheli, who lives in London, has been involved in photography as a hobby for six years now.

Earlier reports mentioned that the Ministry would meet the design agency, Pos Malaysia and others involved in the collection, in the coming week to resolve this controversy.

READ: Malaysian Nature Society upset with agencies in Pos Malaysia controversy

The stamp saga began when a Manila-based wildlife photographer accused Pos Malaysia of stealing his photo and using it without his permission in the VMY collection. In an online digital photography forum, Filipino photographer Romy Ocon had detailed how he found out and compared his original photo against a montage of the VMY stamps.

Romy initially told us that he would sue the agencies, but after consulting with lawyers, he said he would not be going to court as he was satisfied to have embarrassed the government agency.

After Romy's claim, a Singapore-based American photographer Con Foley also confirmed that one of his photographs was featured in the upcoming stamp collection. He claimed he was neither contacted nor credited, and was considering legal action against the agencies involved.