SPH alleges that from November 2010 to October 20, Yahoo posted articles, including those about politics and crime, that were first published in the print editions of The Straits Times, New Paper and My Paper. The publisher’s legal case cites 23 examples of such unauthorized reproduction, said SPH spokeswoman Chin Soo Fang.
Media content in Singapore is closely monitored by the government, and the country’s leaders have sued several international news outlets for defamation. The Straits Times reported Wednesday that this is the first time SPH has sued a website for copyright infringement.
Yahoo Southeast Asia confirmed the litigation but declined further comment.
Yahoo on Wednesday posted on its website a story by its newsroom that the company has filed a memorandum of appearance with the Singapore High Court to defend itself against SPH’s allegations.
“We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against this suit,” Southeast Asia Managing Editor Alan Soon said. “Our editorial business model of acquired, commissioned and original content is proven.”
SPH filed a writ of summons and statement of claim to the High Court on Friday.
SPH, which trades on the Singapore stock exchange, publishes 18 newspapers in four languages and more than 100 magazines.
