Lots of news flying around in the blog world today, worthy enough for me to actually spend some time and write about it in my blog 
Engadget was apparently caught stealing content from DAPReview.net this week. They grabbed a photo taken from one of DAP Review’s writers and photoshopped it cutting off the watermark so they could use it as their own. Of course this is highly illegal and a big ethical no-no. The gang at Engadget responded with everything from actual apologies (by Peter Rojas) to outright denial of any wrong-doing from Ryan Block and WIN CEO Jason Calacanis.
Here is my take on the whole event, because I think it impacts the blogging world as a whole:
Was the act illegal? Absolutely. Using stock photography provided by a manufacturer is one thing. But using a picture taken from a reporter’s camera without permission, or acknowledgment is illegal, cropping the image and using it as your own without their permission is just asking for legal trouble. Did Engadget know what they were doing? Absolutely. It physically took someone time to crop that image - it was not a mistake, it was deliberate.
How should Engadget handle this? Reprimand the blogger responsible, write a formal apology/edit on the blog entry, ask for permission to use the picture, and link to the source. Case closed, no harm - no foul. This happens with even the largest publications out there. The blogger responsible in my opinion did not know the consequences or he would have used diligence.
How should it not be handled? Never ever, ever deny there was any wrong-doing after you were caught in the act. Peter Rojas, Ryan Block, and Jason Calacanis spent a large amount of time posting on sites, denials that anything was wrong.
The end consequence? In the end, Engadget has done nothing but hurt their own reputation and the blogging world as a whole. Let’s face the facts: Blogs have had a tough time garnering attention as being a source of legitimacy as an information provider. Acts like this only give the larger publications more reason to deny Blogs entry into their social circle of influence. Engadget is one of the largest Blogs on the net; they need to set an example of professionalism in both good times and bad. Like I said, handle the incident in a professional way and move on.
What did I get out of this whole incident? Well, I have discovered a few great sites which I did not know existed including GearLive, BlogHerald, and ohGizmo! They will be bookmarked and visited on occasion.