MOSCOW, December 5 - RAPSI, Dmitry Shchitov. A commercial court has ordered Pravda.ru online publication to pay almost $6,500 to a private businessman for unlawful use of his photos, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com).

Businessman Dmitry Chistoprudov sued the publication for 720,000 rubles ($23,370) for the violation of his exclusive rights to the photos "Weekend in Karelian Republic", "Tanks are mud-proof" and "Motor museum in Chernousovo".

The plaintiff maintains that the photos were used for Pravda.ru website, which is confirmed by the site inspection report. Chistoprudov says he did not give his consent to use the works and so he is seeking compensation.

The judgment states that the defendant has failed to prove the absence of his fault in the breach of the plaintiff's rights, but based on reason and justice the court has reduced the claimed amount to 200,000 rubles ($6,500).