Is online mag given the flick before it began?

Remember FLICK magazine, the new design magazine we wrote about a few weeks ago launching an online version before its hard copy? Its future maybe in doubt after a successful legal case was brought against it by the owners of TAXI Design.

Turns out the mag has been sued by Hills Creative Arts (owners of TAXI Design Network) for copyright infringement and has been shut down.

Hills Creative Arts took offence at Flick’s website and media kit which carried a few lines of material describing Flick’s business, which was apparently copyrighted on www.designtaxi.com.

I spoke to the owner of Flick Design’s website, Kyle Neo, who has had to issue email apologies to TAXI to his contacts, and has had to bear damages and TAXI’s legal costs.

Neo said the material was submitted to him by contributors and he was unaware it was copyrighted material, and wished TAXI had contacted before taking legal action.

He sounded dejected but brave, and will now concentrate on his online design business while contemplating the viability of re-starting Flick magazine in the future.

Neo's letter of apology appears below:

I, Neo Kai Fu, acknowledge that I have infringed the copyright of TAXI Design Network’s website at www.designtaxi.com by carrying the copyrighted material on the website of Flick Design, at www.flickdesignmag.com and media kit.

I unreservedly apologise to TAXI Design Network and all advertisers who have received our media kits carrying the infringing materials.

I have agreed to pay Hills Creative Arts Pte Ltd, the creator and owner of TAXI Design Network, for the costs and expenses incurred in connection with this matter.

Neo Kai Fu trading as Flick Design