(CMR) Reed Parker, who stole a stapler from a local store, is trying to erase his online digital history two years after the incident. He has falsely accused CMR of copyright infringement for using an online photo in a story previously carried about the theft.
Parker, who was working in the Cayman Islands as a bartender at the time, was seen on CCTV footage removing the stapler from the store without paying. Within 30 minutes of posting a video of the incident, CMR was notified of his identity and verified his arm tattoo via his social media account.
He returned to pay for the stapler after the video was posted online, and his friends attempted to justify his actions, claiming he may have been having a difficult time.
Since posting this story over two years ago, CMR has been met with several complaints of copyright infringement, including on Facebook and, most recently, CMR's hosting company. Based on these complaints, CMR understands that Parker is trying to wipe information of the theft from online as it would come up during a search of his name on Google.
People often claim copyright infringement to get the media to remove stories; however, this does not always work. CMR's Sandra Hill reiterated that CMR has no intention of removing the story, and she has already appealed his claims of copyright on the used photo. Hill shares that she has proof that the photos were placed in the public domain by the original copyright holder and are now part of the doctrine of fair use – which permits media houses to use online photos.
Commenting on this tactic, Hill explained that, ironically, the only other time this was used was by another Canadian couple who had breached COVID-19 regulations back in November 2020. They first attempted to bribe CMR with a monetary “donation” before using this underhanded tactic. Hill expressed her position on the matter:
“When you have done something wrong, you need to show accountability for it,” she stated.
Hill explained CMR's general policy of being fair to all regardless of where they are from or who they are.
Parker, from Victoria, British Colombia (BC), Canada, reportedly moved to the Cayman Islands on March 15, 2020. He worked in the Backroom of Regency Court, West Bay Road as a bartender.
His giveaway tattoo is actually three stars on his left forearm. He visited Cayman a month before moving here for his new job.
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