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Row over photo used in petition to oust councillor

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A POLITICAL row has broken out over the use of a photograph.

Councillor David Watts, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Broxtowe Borough Council, is threatening to take the Stapleford Community Group to court over a breach of copyright.

Mr Watts has also asked the group's founder, Richard MacRae, for financial compensation for using a photograph he took of Liberal Democrat councillor Brian Wombwell without permission.

The image was used on a petition aimed at removing Mr Wombwell from the town council because he is now living in Somerset and the community group believes he can no longer carry out his responsibilities.

Mr Watts said: "The petition that Richard set up has been a complete failure, attracting only 25 signatures, and some of them were from people who don't live in the ward.

"There is nothing to stop a councillor representing a ward where he doesn't live – it happens all the time.

"However, breaking copyright is stealing the intellectual property of another person.

"I am not asking for blood but I want a sensible offer of compensation, which I will give to charity.

"For someone who has been trying to get elected to public office for the last couple of years to be so cavalier about breaking copyright is extremely disappointing and sets totally the wrong example to others.

"Richard has absolutely no right to use a photo that I have taken without my permission, and he knows full well that I wouldn't give him permission for a stunt like he was trying."

Mr MacRae stood in the county election in May for Bramcote and Stapleford but failed to get elected and received 955 votes, 7.8 per cent of the overall vote.

He now has a week to provide some compensation or Councillor Watts will start legal action.

Stapleford Community Group has said it will no longer be posting comments, updates or any information regarding the Liberal Democrat Party on its website.

Mr MacRae added: "I have apologised for using the photo without asking, but I did not know that I had to. I just got the image from Google and there was no warning about copyright on the website.

"I think that it is making a mountain out of a molehill."

Councillor Brian Wombwell said: "This campaign against me has been going on too long and it has not worked.

"I stand by the action that is being taken because we cannot let Mr MacRae get away with this.

"Ignorance is no excuse to break the law and I do not think it was an accident in this case."

Row  over photo used in petition to oust councillor


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