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August 11, 2005updated 22 Nov 2022 4:28pm

£45,000 payout for copyright row photographer

By Press Gazette

Dominic Ponsford
A photogropher has won £45,000 for breach of copyright after a
three-year legal fight backed by the National Union of Journalists.
Bolton-based photographer Chris Tofalos had a written contract with his
former client, English Basketball, stipulating fees for repeat use of
his work.
But Tofalos claimed that EB, the sport’s governing body, used his images
more than 200 times without payment.
After months of negotiation Kate Fox, copyright specialist at
Thompson’s Solicitors, reached an agreement with EB over the payout.
Tofalos said: “I am very pleased the three-year struggle is finally
over and delighted with the outcome.s
“Initially, I was faced with the
monumental task of extensive and seemingly uncontrollable copyright
infringement without the financial means to take legal action.
Thankfully the NUJ provided all the financial support and legal
expertise required and justice was finally done.”
NUJ freelance organiser John Toner said: “I am delighted that we have
achieved this on Chris’s behalf. English Basketball blatantly breached
their contract with Chris and this should have been settled long ago.
“Chris has been very tenacious during what has been a very anxious time
for him and his family. I am pleased for him that it is finally over.”

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