Anguillan-based website !_LT_Uw!_LT_/U!_LT_U href=”https://www.mygazines.com/”ww.mygazines.com!_LT_/U allows users to read a number of digital copies of international titles, including Cosmopolitan, People and The Economist, while they are still on newsstands. The majority of the publications are from the USA, UK, Canada and Brazil. R
align=justifyMD of Panorama Publications and CEO of Intelligence Publishing, Urs Honegger, says he doesn’t think this site is a big threat to magazine publishers. “I can see why some people would be concerned initially. However, the quality is bad and I don’t think that these particular readers would be actually purchasing the actual titles. I equate it to somebody filming a movie in the cinema with the handy-cam and making it available on the ‘net for download.
align=justify”We are not developed broadband-wise so I don’t think such a site is practical for South Africa. I don’t see it as a huge threat.”
align=justifyA number of US publishers have threatened to take legal action. However, this is proving difficult as the site is registered in the Caribbean island of Anguilla, which is out of US jurisdiction.
align=justifyHonegger adds: “The site is hosted in a non extradition country which means it is difficult even for FIPP to undertake a counter measures.”
align=justifyOn July 29 Mygazines.com issued a media statement equating its site to magazines that are shared in a salon or doctor’s office.
