Brexit campaign group Leave.EU has found itself embroiled in a legal battle, after a freelance photographer accused campaigners of using his copyrighted photographs to promote their cause.
Mr Chris Bethell, who photographed the likes of Ukip leader Nigel Farage and other campaigners at a promotional event for documentary Brexit: The Movie, spotted his photos on Leave.EU’s Twitter and Facebook profiles at a later date promoting “a great turn out” at the event.
The disgruntled photographer contacted campaigners threatening legal action unless the images were either taken offline, or Leave.EU paid the photographer for their use.
The campaign group reportedly left Mr Bethel in the dark until he contacted campaigners a second time, sending over a clear payment invoice, which they subsequently refused.
“I’m kind of disgusted that they aren’t respecting English copyright law. Freelances are struggling anyway within the editorial world and are being ripped off,” said Mr Bethell.
“Not only have they used his photographs without his permission, but they have almost certainly breached his moral rights under the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act by distorting the story that Chris reported,” commented NUJ Freelance organiser, Mr John Toner.
Leave.EU have since removed the disputed images from their social media sites.
According to reports, campaigners sent Mr Bethel an email stating: “The photos were removed and were not used for commercial purposes – just reposted as a news story and withdrawn on your request.”
“We will not be paying your invoice,” they said.