INGLEWOOD (2UG) – An Inglewood newspaper publisher continues to plagiarize and infringe on intellectual property copyrights of several media outlets. They have pilfered the work of 2UrbanGirls, Daily Breeze, KABC Channel 7 and Knock LA without attribution, compensation or their express written consent.
Inglewood Today newspaper is published by Ads Up Advertising which is owned and operated by Willie Brown. Brown has published the newspaper for over 25 years and was prominently featured at newly elected Councilwoman Gloria Gray’s swearing-in ceremony held in April of this year.
Brown takes credit for getting Gray elected in the runoff election against former District 1 Councilman George Dotson.
The newspaper election roundup coverage was copied word for word from a Daily Breeze reporter and when it was brought to the attention of the paper’s Managing Editor, Brown pulled the coverage.
After our reporting the Inglewood Today removes article they stole from @krhutchings cc @dailybreezeME https://t.co/W7wJPBK2px
— 2UrbanGirls (@2UrbanGirls) March 11, 2023
During the May 9 city council meeting Gray heaped praise on Brown for being a respected business owner in the city, at his request.
“I want to make this announcement in request regarding Inglewood Today…it has been a standard barrier and positive instrument for distributing news…and its owner Willie Brown has been a strong advocate for Inglewood,” said Gray.
A public records request made to the city of Inglewood shows Brown’s Ads Up Advertising hasn’t paid the city business taxes in close to six years, meanwhile, residents operating short-term rentals have been prevented from doing so until their past due taxes have been paid.
According to Gray, Inglewood Today newspaper has been in operation for 30 years yet he doesn’t have writers that can come up with their own content as it relates to Inglewood. Over five of our articles are featured on the homepage of Inglewood Today which were copied and pasted verbatim. The same was done with content they pilfered from KABC and Knock LA.
Mr. Brown was contacted by this author through text messages and phone calls to remove our content from his paper, however, he has defiantly chosen to keep it up in violation of copyright and intellectual property laws.
His actions are unethical and unprofessional and Mr. Brown and his newspaper should no longer be respected by any Inglewood elected official, business or resident.
1 Comment
Crooks liking crooks. Another lawsuit for the City taxpayers. Mr. Brown doesn’t know how to write.