Yomiuri Travel : Photos often used without OK

Written by Chang on Sunday, October 12th, 2008

Yomiuri Travel Service Co. announced Saturday that an internal investigation committee had found the company had regularly used photographs of tourist spots without the permission of the copyright holders.

The Chuo Ward, Tokyo-based company was alleged to have used a large number of such photos for advertisements run in newspapers and other publications.

The committee, which comprises people drawn from outside the company and chaired by Hideo Iida, former head of the Fukuoka High Public Prosecutors Office, concluded such photographs were routinely used without first gaining permission.

Yomiuri Travel Service President Hajime Suse said: “I regret that my employees’ awareness of copyright was insufficient, and I deeply apologize to our clients and other people concerned. I sincerely accept the report and will make a concerted effort to prevent similar problems from occurring again.”