SANParks Concerned about Impersonation

[Richprins]

Media Release: SANParks concerned about impersonation on social media

15 December 2017

A rapid increase of groups on social media platforms impersonating South African National Parks and some of the national parks under its management is a cause of great concern for the organisation.

This according to SANParks Head of Communications, Janine Raftopoulos who said the mushrooming of various groups making reference to the country’s national parks authority passing off their products for personal and commercial gain, has gained concerning momentum which is putting SANParks and its patrons at risk.

According to Raftopoulos there is at any given time between 30 to 60 active platforms mainly on social media, claiming to have links with SANParks. “This practise constitutes infringement of SANParks registered trademarks which could result in litigation.”

She said the practice has seen establishments of agents acting as travel agents, people creating mobile apps, publishers of literature / maps / magazines / diaries, marketing apparel, domain names, crowd fund sourcing agents, third party emergency contact numbers that mislead the public, some of which are for commercial purposes. It is important to note that fundraising can only be done officially through the SANParks website and the Honorary Rangers.

This is undertaken without SANParks permission or for the benefit of our national parks. “It is for this reason that SANParks would like to make the public aware, and more importantly inform those behind these platforms, that there are legal implications whereby SANParks may institute legal proceedings, should people continue using its name or national parks under its management unlawfully.”

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Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170

Enquiries:
Janine Raftopoulos
SANParks Head of Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170, cell: 071 444 3121
Email: janine.raftopoulos@sanparks.org

Reynolds Thakhuli
General Manager: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations
Tel: 012 426 5170, Mobile: 073 373 4999
Email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org


https://www.sanparks.org/about/news/?id=57370

[H. erectus]

Oh for goodness sake, Sanparks bring it unto self,
by means of commercialization, now wish to complain
about free enterprise and how this stupid idea pan's out!!

Sanparks must learn to share responsibility!!!!

[Lisbeth]

Actually I think that this is true and it must be bothering them quite a lot.

[Richprins]

the mushrooming of various groups making reference to the country’s national parks authority passing off their products for personal and commercial gain, has gained concerning momentum which is putting SANParks and its patrons at risk.

What exactly are they moaning about?

How is it putting SANParks and PATRONS at risk?

Taking "their" money??

[Lisbeth]

It all depends on how the topics are named. "Sanparks" is for sure a protected name and to use it to your own advantage is not legal

[Richprins]

Then they must take them to court!

[Lisbeth]

They do have a right to complain about it. I am just as angry with Sanparks as you are, but in this case they are trying to protect themselves, which I think
is reasonable from their point of view.

[Richprins]

Then they must take them to court!

[Lisbeth]

I think that it is enough with a complaint. There must be an office that protects the rights of possession.

[okie]

oops , have the guptas taken over here too

Hmmmm.. Sanparks statement is rather vague , but if there is indeed some serious breach/damage , then they should perhaps name those organisation(s)