[WikiEN-l] [customer.support at orbimage.com: Illegal Use of SeaWiFS / OrbView-2 imagery]

[Jimmy (Jimbo) Wales]

We will need to do a search to determine if we have other images from
this site as well.  The error was due to the assumption that if it is
on the Nasa site, and is a picture from space, it is in the public
domain.

In my opinion, NASA ought not to enter into roundabout deals like this,
but nevertheless...

----- Forwarded message from "Customer.Support" <customer.support at orbimage.com> -----

From: "Customer.Support" <customer.support at orbimage.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 16:51:27 -0400
To: <jwales at bomis.com>
Subject: Illegal Use of SeaWiFS / OrbView-2 imagery

Dear Mr. Wales:
 
It has come to our attention that our SeaWiFS (OrbView-2) imagery is
being used on your website located at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Black-sea-nasa.jpg
<http://www.greeklandscapes.com/maps/satellite.html>   and that you
claim that "This image has been released into the public domain by the
copy right holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for
copyright.  This applies worldwide."


Please note that ORBIMAGE is the copyright holder of the image, it has
not been released into the copyright domain, and the copyright has not
expired. The SeaWiFS program is a partnership between ORBIMAGE and NASA
by which all operational and commercial use is coordinated and purchased
through ORBIMAGE. NASA has the right to use OrbView-2 imagery for
research and educational purposes. 

A license or permission from ORBIMAGE is required to use our imagery
outside of NASA's researchers' use. Additionally, a statement crediting
ORBIMAGE and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is required with all
SeaWiFS imagery.  To this end, it is our belief that the imagery is
being illegally used on your website.

Since our records do not indicate that a license was issued to
Wikipedia, you must remove the imagery from your website immediately or
contact our Support Department for a licensing quote.

Your immediate response to customer.support at orbimage.com is required. 

Sincerely, 

Sabrina
ORBIMAGE Support Services
E-mail: customer.support at orbimage.com
Phone: (703) 480-7539 
Fax: (703) 450-9570
Open Hours: 8:00am - 5:30pm EST
Website: www.orbimage.com
 

----- End forwarded message -----

-- 
"La nèfle est un fruit." - first words of 50,000th article on fr.wikipedia.org