Dewi Sukarno irked by magazine photos

Dewi Sukarno irked by magazine photos

JAKARTA (JP): A widow of Indonesia's first president Sukarno,
Ratnasari Dewi, lodged a complaint on Tuesday with the Jakarta
Police against a tourism monthly for allegedly using copyrighted
pictures without permission.

Arriving at police headquarters on Jl. Sudirman in South
Jakarta at 9 a.m. with her two lawyers, Dewi accused What's On -
Jakarta Program of violating copyright laws. The magazine is
owned by businessman Sudwikatmono, a relative of former president
Soeharto.

She refused to speak in detail on the complaint, referring
questions on legal matters to her lawyers Amir Abiyoso and Didi
Supriyanto.

"I never expected that you (journalists) would come to cover
me," said the 59-year-old woman.

According to Didi, the November 1998 edition of the magazine
carried a cover story on Dewi, accompanied by photographs of her
nude and scantily clad, which were copyrighted material from her
book Madame D Syuga.

"There are several photos taken from the art book Syuga, which
were used in that edition, but the editors of the magazine never
ask for Ibu Dewi's permission," the lawyer said.

The article in the magazine, which is mostly distributed in
hotels and travel companies, also contains libelous allegations,
the Japanese-born Dewi said.

She said she would pursue the libel issue later.

In her complaint, Dewi named the monthly's founders and
executives, including Sudwikatmono, Hudiono Kadarisman and chief
editor Warsito Wahono.

"We've given a copy of the magazine to the police as evidence,
and we hope that they'll summon those responsible as soon as
possible so we can settle the matter right away," Didi said.

Law No. 6/1982 on copyrights stipulates a maximum penalty of a
seven-year jail sentence and Rp 100 million fine.

None of the magazine executives could be reached for comment
on Wednesday. (emf)