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Government stole my copyright

A KHAYELITSHA artist says the government has stolen his royalties and is exploiting him. Struggling artist Patrick Holo says the Education Department breached copyright laws by using his artwork in the 2008 Grade 9 English examination paper without consulting him.

"They did not just steal my art, they used it without consulting me. I was never compensated," he told Sowetan.

Holo said: "To prove I was never consulted, the caption says I am from Philippi, but I have never lived there."

After getting no relief from the Education Department, Holo asked the Legal Aid Board for advice about copyright laws. He now feels the Legal Aid Board is siding with the government because they have asked him "to write a letter of appeal".

"That is going to be a long process. I do not have to explain myself because the government knows what it did. I don't want to write letters. I want to be paid for my work

"The painting is my legacy. I did it in 2000 and still keep it in my collection."

Copyright expert André Murray of Bowman Gilfillan said the artist was the owner of his work unless he signed his copyright away. He said if he did not sign anything his copyright had been infringed.

National Education Department spokesperson Granville Whittle did not respond to questions posed by Sowetan five days ago.

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