Russia's Leading News Agencies Combat Plagiarism

(RFE/RL) 16 December 2005 -- Russia's three leading news agencies say they will join forces to combat plagiarism.
RIA-Novosti, ITAR-TASS, and Interfax said in a joint statement today that they will closely monitor how Russian and foreign media make use of their respective production, both on the Internet and in print-media outlets.

The three agencies also vow to provide assistance to all other news organizations that fall victim to plagiarism.

The joint statement calls for enhanced legislation that would clearly say how information can be used on the Internet.

Earlier this week, Russia's "Vedomosti" economic daily said it had filed a lawsuit against RBK Information Systems.

"Vedomosti" accuses the Russian media company of posting more than 100 of its articles on its website without crediting their authors. It is demanding 257 million rubles ($9 million) as compensation.

RBK Information Systems denies the charge.

(RIA-Novosti/Interfax/ITAR-TASS/Vedomosti)