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AFP CHAIRMAN EMMANUEL HOOG PROTESTS GREEK POLICE’S UNAUTHORIZED USE OF AFP PHOTOS

AFP CHAIRMAN EMMANUEL HOOG HAS WRITTEN TO THE GREEK POLICE CHIEF TO PROTEST THE PUBLICATION OF AFP PHOTOS ON THE POLICE WEBSITE. THESE PHOTOS WERE PUBLISHED WITHOUT AFP'S AUTHORIZATION

The Greek police has posted on its website photos taken by Agence France-Presse photographers and downloaded from the AFP photo archive service Imageforum.

The police did not seek authorization from AFP before posting these photos to launch a search for witnesses during protests at Syntagma Square in Athens on February 12.

“Such a practice is not only illegal in respect to intellectual property law but is also unacceptable in a constitutional state. By this letter,I officially protest against such methods. We do note that, following the intervention of our Bureau Chief in Athens, the pictures which were identified as having been taken by AFP were removed from the police website.”, Emmanuel Hoog says.

“Aside from this violation of the law and accepted practice, I would like to draw your attention to the responsibility of the police service which with this action could place our staff in danger”, AFP Chairman adds.

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