Google has been criticised in Australia after it removed an Aboriginal flag from a competition-winning drawing appearing on its homepage. 'Australia Forever', by 11-year-old Jessica Du, had originally featured some of the country's native animals standing in front of the flag. But Google said they had to remove the flag after its designer, Harold Thomas, refused them permission to use it. Mr Thomas said Google had not offered him enough money for the rights. "They first contacted me wanting it to be used freely. You don't start off negotiations that way - they put me on the back foot, and therefore I had to protect my interests in a respectful way," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "They didn't give me a straight-out offer, and with all their money and machinery and know-how, they should have known what to do, it's as simple as that."
I usually support the indigenous peoples of the world in disputes like this but in this case I'm with Google; they had a kids competition, the winner of which might have raised the profile of the Australian Aborigines on the world stage, and all this douchebag is concerned about is getting his pound of flesh. Google did not do the drawing, Jessica Du did, he should go after her for royalties. You can't expect Google to foot a massive image rights bill because of the careless design choices of a little girl. Google did as best they could in this regard, at least they didn't use a different drawing altogether.
I usually support the indigenous peoples of the world in disputes like this but in this case I'm with Google; they had a kids competition, the winner of which might have raised the profile of the Australian Aborigines on the world stage, and all this douchebag is concerned about is getting his pound of flesh. Google did not do the drawing, Jessica Du did, he should go after her for royalties. You can't expect Google to foot a massive image rights bill because of the careless design choices of a little girl. Google did as best they could in this regard, at least they didn't use a different drawing altogether.
Last edited by Braddock (2010-01-26 03:20:27)
