Worked for a major sport?
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- jasontroj
I'm wondering if anyone here has worked for a major sports league or team. Even better for a publication or station that dealt with major sports.
My question is about journalism in that area. Say I was going to publish something involving sports teams names and stats, would I need to pay royalties for that? I'm just trying to understand what falls under freedom of speech/press and what becomes me handing over my profits to said sport.
- gadg3tg1rl0
We have an NHL team as a client - there isn't anything to do with royalties when it comes to publishing stats or player info. etc.
- Jaline0
Don't think so.
- stoplying0
We just tried to run a campaign using the words "Final Four" and the NCAA required us to pay a ridiculous amount of money to use that language.
- if that's been trademarked, then yeah royalty citygadg3tg1rl
- OSFA0
then switch it to 'Four Final' ;) You're welcome.
- jasontroj0
Are team names a property of the sport or just their logos? I think I am 100% in the clear if I just don't use any logos. Maybe a title like "Super Bowl" or "World Series" would get me in heat.
- harlequino0
Reporting an event, or the results of an event is simply 'journalism,' and recounting something that happened right? Not exactly intellectual property. Bascially, blogging, isn't it?
- papa gotz a pointOSFA
- and i don't preach, yo! :Dharlequino
- hahaha!OSFA
- OSFA0
so, what a sec, if you decide to run an editorial article for a sports team, athlete or even celebrity, you're ok? as long as it is an 'editorial'? I'm confused now...
- harlequino0
I think the line probably lies in promotions to a certain extent.
You can easily say "The Lions won the game, 10-2."
or "The Lions ran a charitable event."But you can't just say, "XYZ Sportsdrink, favored by the Lions"
or
"Come down to our benefit event, meet the Lions (insert logo)."
- jasontroj0
Say it's a poster with some stats or transactions, that's it. I should be able to sell that due to the creative work behind it and the "freedom of presses" section in our bill of rights correct?
- harlequino0
^ Not sure, you may have trouble there. A poster, by most people's definitions, will most likely be considered a promotional piece.
Where is it going?
- jasontroj0
On the wall of anyone that wants one.
- harlequino0
Are you making money or are they free?
Basically, what's "in it" for you?Sounds like you are doing a promo piece and it's not straight reporting. You may need to check with the teams' PR and/or licensing departments. They'll likely have brand standards, even if it is free and in their interest.
- jasontroj0
It's for money. Bust mostly just production cost. It won't be buying me a second house.
I will have no logos or fonts used by the teams and it's in a style completely different from anything those teams use. So I'm really confused if it's a matter of first ammendment reporting/journalism or if simply by using team/player names I am using their "product."
I cannot find ANYWHERE about who to contact at their place to see if it's acceptable, and even then, I'm sure they would like to say it isn't.
- harlequino0
Yeah, you are beyond journalism now. This is a product, and not a free speech issue at all. Purely copyright and licensing. Stats, game scores, all irrelevant. It's all about the trademarks.
You would need (and I am not expert on this) to contact a merchandising/licensing department of some sort. That may be an outside firm, who knows. This is not an easy thing, sorry.That said, if this is a local team who are not incorporated, none of this may apply.
Also, you do have the option of saying to hell with it. Print and sell what you want. And when you get the cease/desist letter, you shut down. That's all I know.
Good luck!
- jasontroj0
FINALLY got in touch with someone.
Licensing and all of that at least with this major sport pertains to fonts and logos. They didn't mention colors, but I'm going to go with those are safe. If I don't use any of that, I am good to go.
Just figured I would share with those that were speculating with me.