Thursday, June 3, 2010

The Telegraph plagiarizes Joshua's work at One Free Korea

Go here to see the case laid out. It's pretty clear-cut. Egregious and inexcusable.

Joshua's a lawyer, and a couple other lawyers chime in (including Brendon Carr), and they discuss whether Google Maps images that have been interpreted (i.e., painstakingly pored over and analyzed to locate key North Korea structures and facilities previously unknown to the public) and enhanced (e.g., arrows added to show where key items are located) are Joshua's or remain the property of Google.

But clearly the descriptions of the locations and the facilities that are provided by Joshua cannot even remotely be considered the property of Google. They are solely the work of Joshua and they are not on the maps.

Make no mistake, this is serious business. This is the kind of thing that gets undergrads kicked out of college, thank you very much. In the professional world, this is out-and-out theft: The Telegraph passed this off as their own research, and on that basis they sell subscriptions and advertising. They profited from Joshua's efforts. Shame on them.

The Telegraph owes Joshua a public apology, an explanation, and perhaps some cash.

UPDATE (next morning):
According to Joshua, The Telegraph is now crediting One Free Korea for its photos and descriptions. I think they should also issue an apology and explanation, but if Joshua is satisfied, then I'll let it go.

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