Dear valued member and visitors,I have been wondering about Malsingmaps' stance on this copyright issue for a long time. Why did they have to rebuild the North Peninsular Map with the help of Masmap when Malsingmaps had the legal rights to the source data file from the very beginning? With the issue of copyright out of the way, I hope Malsingmaps and Masmap can now continue where the previous mappers left off.
Some of you may have heard allegations and claims over the rights and ownership over a portion of the map data at malsingmaps.com. We have also heard of claims of how certain individual claim all the hard work the community has contributed to this community for all these years as being attributable to him.
We flatly deny those claims on both counts. We state that the branding created at malsingmaps.com is by all of us, both mappers, users and contributors alike both past and present. And we have a large map spanning Peninsular Malaysia, East Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei and these have been made over the years, not by a single individual but by the community as a whole. The agreement with Garmin is the icing on the cake which validates and acknowledges the efforts of the entire community. It is an achievement that all of us can be proud of. We have at no time attempted to hide, devalue or not acknowledge any of
the works done by mappers and contributors of the past.
On the issue of legal ownership, our position has always been clear. We have the benefit of one of Malaysia's premier specialist Intellectual Property law firms who have reviewed the situation extensively. As contributors and users of malsingmaps, you are also accorded protection under the law. Any infringement, if at all, is not committed by malsingmaps but by others. Case law heavily supports our case, and in some of those cases, entitles us for a valid claim for injunctive relief. This is in addition to other causes of action that are open to us right now, today. We do not believe we need to resort to these unless it is absolutely necessary. It is a non-profit hobby anyway.
We are aware that cheap coffee shop talk by persons with no locus standi, no appreciation of the entire history nor understanding of the legal issues surrounding Intellectual Property law, is all too easy. 2 cents comments can be easily advanced backed only by emotions and interpretations which however cannot withstand legal scrutiny. Cheap shots and slanderous statements could be the preferred strategy by some, we on the other hand, prefer diplomacy and professionalism with the full backing of the law. We have the luxury of being civil todate because we have the law on our side.
The law is clear cut. Our legal position is crystal clear. We will exercise our rights to protect that position as and when required.
Be assured that what we did yesterday, what we do today and what we will do tomorrow, is lawful and we have not violated any laws. Of that we are certain. But you don't have to take our word for it. We didn't. We rely on professionals who are subject matter experts in the field of intellectual property.
So let's move on. There are more exciting things coming up in April 2009 where Garmin is concerned. Your continued support is very much welcomed and appreciated. So stick around, enjoy the free maps and enjoy this hobby site. As our motto goes "powered by the community for the community".
MSM Team
On a side note, Malfreemaps has made a lot of noise about the issue of Malsingmaps "copying" their data on their website. But have they sought legal counsel regarding this issue? Have they written officially to Malsingmaps about this alleged copying? I don't think so. I think Anthony Yong is making a lot of noise rather than seek legal reprieve so that his valued contributors would be all fired up and do more tracklogging for him. Anthony Yong is one smart man. He does not seek legal reprieve because he knows he has no ground to stand on.
