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SoGlos tackles copyright infringements with new widgets

Posted: 01/10/09 By: Laura Oliver

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Independent local news and listings website SoGlos.com has created a series of widgets offering its content to help tackle online copyright infringements.

The site is tackling plagiarism by releasing its content and data for free, but 'in a controlled and measured way', deputy editor James Fryer told Journalism.co.uk.

In July the site received an apology from regional newspaper group Archant after it lifted content from the website without permission - just one example of a series of problems with copyright infringement faced by the site, Fryer said at the time.

The seven new widgets will allow users to embed and share news about events in Gloucestershire, including widgets for six specific regions.

The events listed on the branded applications can also be filtered by a date range specified by the user.

The site, which has a history of developing innovative online tools such as its interactive listings map, developed the widgets in-house with the help of a developer.

The devices are powered by a new dynamically updating events calendar developed by the site, which has overhauled its content management system to better handle data relating to events listings, a press release from the site explained.

The technology behind the widgets and the site could be applied to other areas of the UK, the site has said.

But according to Fryer there are no immediate in-house plans to expand to other regions: "We're very keen to see the model reach its full potential. It would be great to work with one of the UK's large publishing houses, who could make the opportunity a reality.

"It would be fantastic to see other local media use the widgets. We specialise in covering Gloucestershire arts, entertainment and leisure - and the adage 'if you can't beat them, join them' holds true."

The site has worked with local radio station Heart Gloucestershire for the last two years and hopes the broadcaster will make use of the new widgets, he added.

The widgets will be free to use and the site is not considering charging for sharing its content in this way, added Fryer.

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