Humans of New York creator Brandon Stanton slams Indian version over copyright row
The founder of the popular photoblog Humans of New York has hit out at an Indian version of his concept – Humans of Bombay – as it becomes embroiled in a copyright battle.
Humans of Bombay, which follows a similar format to Humans of New York (HONY), has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against a rival platform.
Weighing in on the dispute, Humans of New York founder Brandon Stanton slammed Humans of Bombay, accusing it of appropriating his own work first.
“I’ve stayed quiet on the appropriation of my work because I think @HumansOfBombay shares important stories, even if they’ve monetized far past anything I’d ever feel comfortable doing on HONY.
“But you can’t be suing people for what I’ve forgiven you for.”
HONY features portraits of New Yorkers alongside quotes or short stories from their lives.
It became an online sensation after it launched in 2010, claiming to provide a “worldwide audience with daily glimpses into the lives of strangers on the streets of New York City”.
The photoblog now boasts an online following of over 20 million.
Read more:
Deaths from 9/11-related illnesses reaches ‘sombre milestone’
New York’s mayor says migration crisis may ‘destroy’ city
Humans of Bombay was launched four years later in 2014 by founder Karishma Mehta. It has since amassed some 3.2 million followers.
Like Humans of New York it accompanies portraits of “strangers” with quotes and stories with the stated aim of telling “inspirational and relatable stories of individuals from all walks of life”.
‘We tried to address the issue amicably’
Karishma Mehta founded Humans of Bombay in 2014
In its lawsuit it is now alleging that People of India (POI) – another India-based storytelling account – has not only replicated its style, but has also been passing off its material as their own.
Responding to Mr Stanton’s accusation, Humans of Bombay said the lawsuit wasn’t just a matter of storytelling.
“We are grateful to HONY & Brandon for starting this storytelling movement. The suit is related to the IP in our posts & not about storytelling at all.
“We tried to address the issue amicably before approaching the court, as we believe in protecting our team’s hard work.”
A back and forth between the two on X, formerly known as Twitter, has since ensued, with Mr Stanton accusing Humans of Bombay of monetising his concept.
Claiming he hadn’t profited from a single story told on Humans of New York, he wrote “when art begins with a profit motive, it ceases to become art”.
He pointed people to the @HumansofAdam – a similar concept running in the Netherlands – as an example of a “true artist who had done beautiful things”.
A ‘cryptic assault on our efforts’
Once again Humans of Bombay hit back, this time accusing Stanton of “jumping the gun” in issuing a “cryptic assault on our efforts”.
Mr Stanton’s photoblog features stories from over 20 different countries. His portraits are also the subject of two bestselling books.
He is known for using his work to fundraise for some of the subjects he features.
In December 2013, he was named one of Time magazine’s “30 Under 30 People Changing The World”.
Children are among the fatalities in a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in California.
Police said four people had died and 10 were wounded in the incident in Stockton, about 60 miles east of San Francisco.
Officers were called on Saturday to a banquet hall just before 6pm local time (2am UK time) and district attorney Ron Freitas said children were among the dead.
He said the attacker was still at large.
First responders walk through a parking lot near the scene of a mass shooting in Stockton, California. Pics: AP
“We can confirm at this time that approximately 14 individuals were struck by gunfire, and four victims have been confirmed deceased,” San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said on X.
The post said early indications suggest it could be a “targeted incident” but that information remains limited.
Police have so far not disclosed the attacker’s identity and the motive is unclear.
Stockton’s vice mayor Jason Lee confirmed on Facebook that the shooting on Lucile Avenue happened at a child’s birthday party.
Pics: AP
Mayor Christina Fugazzi also said that “families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive”.
California governor Gavin Newsom’s office added that he had been briefed on the “horrific shooting”.
Venezuela has accused Donald Trump of a “colonial threat” after he said the airspace “above and surrounding” the country should be considered closed “in its entirety”.
Mr Trump made the declaration amid growing tensions with President Maduro – and as the US continues attacking boats it claims are carrying drugs from Venezuela.
He wrote on Truth Social: “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.”
Air traffic above Venezuela on Saturday afternoon. Pic: FlightRadar24
Venezuela’s foreign affairs office called it a “colonial threat” and “illegal, and unjustified aggression”.
It accused the president of threatening “the sovereignty of the national airspace… and the full sovereignty of the Venezuelan state”.
President Trump’s words were part of a “permanent policy of aggression against our country” that breached international law and the UN Charter, it added.
The Pentagon and the White House have so far not given any additional detail on the president’s statement.
Mr Trump’s post comes after the American aviation regulator last week warned of a “potentially hazardous situation” over Venezuela due to a “worsening security situation”.
Nicolas Maduro is widely considered a dictator by the West. Pic: Reuters
The South American nation revoked operating rights for six major airlines that went on to suspend flights to the country.
Mr Trump warned a few days ago that land operations against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers would begin “very soon”.
Such a move would be a major escalation in Operation Southern Spear – the US naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific that’s so far attacked at least 21 vessels.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Three killed as US strikes another alleged drug boat
Venezuela has said the attacks, which have killed more than 80 people, amount to murder.
The US has released videos of boats being targeted, but hasn’t provided evidence – such as photos of their cargo – to support the smuggling claims.
Read more:
Trump may have another motive in war on drugs
The US-Venezuela crisis explained
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Venezuela claims Trump creating ‘fables’ to justify ‘war’
The Pentagon has sought to justify the strikes by labelling the drug gangs as “foreign terrorist organisations” – putting them on par with the likes of al Qaeda.
It claims the boats targeted are carrying drugs bound for the US, although Sky’s chief correspondent says the final destination is likely to be Europe and West Africa.
President Maduro has denied Mr Trump’s claims he is involved in the drugs trade himself and said his counterpart wants to oust him so he can install a more sympathetic government.
Venezuelan officials have also claimed Mr Trump’s true motivation is access to the country’s plentiful oil reserves.
Mr Maduro is widely considered a dictator who’s cheated elections and has been president since 2013.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment3 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024