Singapore Land Authority vs. Virtual Map (streetdirectory.com)

Posted By mr lim on November 25, 2006

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/156564.asp

Who do you think will win eh?

Karma? This is just a ’sooner or later’ thing. For the past few years, Virtual Map (VM) has made the news for sueing several companies including NTUC Income for copyright infringement and all.

Some time ago, I even read some where that this guy started a small website for his business, the web designer he hired used one of streetdirectory.com’s maps on his website and this attracted the fury of VM and proceeded to demand him to pay for the damages. He’s unable to pay up and ended up ceasing the business operations before going bankrupt.

This was just like a day after SLA launched their StreetMap@Singapore service so that’s probably the main reason. If SLA wins this lawsuit, streetdirectory.com’s future will be very bleak indeed.

4 Comments so far

  1. eugene on December 28th, 2006

    I pity that guy who went bankrupt because of copyright infringement…no mercy from virtual map huh?

    I have heard from so many people about how virtual map ruthless pursuit and sue those who “infringed” on their copyright. I think it became something like their main business.lol.

  2. Victoria on January 10th, 2007

    Hey

    I am from Virtual Map. I dont think we ruthlessly pursue the infringers. We always give them many ways to settle. At the end of the day, we are not killer machines, we will be more than happy to try and solve the this.

    We just want the infringers to know that our IP must be respected. I suggest those who have problems to try and talk to the people in VM. They will be more than happy to assist.

    Cheers

  3. Justice Defender on January 11th, 2007

    Victoria said, “…we will be more than happy to try and solve the this.”

    When you say settle, will waiving the fee be one of the settlement option? I don’t think so right? This might not mean that you are a killing machine, maybe just a torturing machine. At the end you only want money and not a justification of an IP which might not even be yours in the first place.

    Successful people are smart and wise people. Becoming wise is not easy. Most of the time it’s life lesson that makes us wise. I hope you dont need to go bankrupt to learn to be wiser in life and your business.

  4. Macca on January 15th, 2007

    Justice Defender,let me put you in this situation.

    You are a singer and had spend alot of money and hardwork to market your songs.Then out of nowhere,someone copied your songs without you knowing it and use it for their own advantages.

    Wouldnt you feel bad?Wouldnt you feel angry?

    I’m sure you will share the same feeling as that website.And so its about bloody time you think before spouting garbage.Peace

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