NAPA steps in to support news agency in copyright complaint against PA

Solent News and Photo agency says it is considering taking legal action against the Press Association claiming the national agency breached its copyright.

Following a complaint made by Solent, the National Association of Press Agencies (NAPA) wrote to Jonathan Grun, editor of the Press Association, asking for an apology and "assurances that this was an aberration that will not be repeated".

Today Grun issued a statement to Journalism.co.uk claiming that the Press Association has "at all times acted in good faith in our reporting of this story".

Solent's complaint is in relation to the alleged republishing of parts of an interview with David Yeates, the father of murdered Joanna Yeates.

According to NAPA, Solent distributed the story on the 28 December to a number of selected publications, including the Southern Daily Echo.

But NAPA said a version of the story featuring the same quotes was then sent out by the Press Association. Solent claims that it asked the Press Association to recall the story as it was in breach of its copyright but was refused.

It is also alleged that a further breach of copyright occurred with another article relating to the same story.

Solent says its lawyers will write to the Press Association to request payment for the copy and damages.

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