A Question about BE's "Live Results and Commentary" for UFC events
by TLow on Feb 26, 2010 12:32 AM EST
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So undoubtedly one of the coolest things about the MMA blogs such as BE, Sherdog and others is the live-blogging of events, which I find interesting both as a way of following fights but also as a historical source. But I had a question about their legality, which I find interesting.
First of all I'm in no way suggesting that they're illegal. But most sporting events, at least the ones that air on television have pretty strict rules about broadcasting rights and giving away the results and action of the plays in real time, because of course they have set negotiated contracts with networks to show the events, who want people to be forced to tune into their station to figure out what's going on. It's obviously a little different because UFCs are mostly PPV, but even the events on Spike TV are usually live blogged, as far Strikeforce, KOTC and Dream.
So where do live blogging of MMA events fit in legally? Are they allowed to exist only because Zuffa (and other orgs) allows for their existence and doesn't send out any "cease-and-desist" letters (or whatever the term is, I'm no lawyer.) Or is there a specific legal niche that makes live blogs legal, but not audio or video rebroadcasts? I'm just curious because Zuffa in particular has a reputation for being really tight with this kind of thing, so I was curious as to this point.
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Well, to be honest
I’m 99.99999999999% sure that there’s no way it’s illegal. Free speech and all.
Aside from that though, I just don’t see the live blogs as any kind of threat towards the UFC’s ratings, especially on TV where the fights are free. Anyone who would follow a live blog over watching the fights (given that they have a TV) is a dunce, sorry
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If there's no audio or video involved I don't see how that would be illegal...
If Derek Jeter clubbed a baby seal on earth day while wearing a mink coat and crocodile skin boots while burning tires on an iceberg, the reaction would be "Its OK Derek, you’re a Yankee." -First mammal to wear pants
If you were to charge for a live blog without the expressed written consent of major league baseball, you might be in hot water.
Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.
MLB doesn't require that you charge anything.
“Accounts and descriptions of this game may not be disseminated without the express written consent of Major League Baseball.”
Simply liveblogging a baseball game can be a violation of their copyright (if the content includes descriptions of the play on the field).
There was a recent kerfuffle in Vancouver where athletes were told their blogs and twitter feeds would be monitored to ensure they were not reporting the results of events, as they were not accredited press at the Olympic games.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
Just because MLB says that doesn’t mean it would ever stand up in court. The RIAA claims (or have claimed) that you don’t have the right to back-up your cds to your computer, and that has been beaten in court. There are thousands of examples of companies claiming more rights than they actually have.
by thekiltedwonder on Feb 26, 2010 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
that also comes from issuing press passes and the exclusive media deals that the events can give out.
I know the NCAA has very strict rules about live blogs, especially when you are at the event, but I don’t know how much success they’d have if they tried to go after someone reporting what they see on TV.
we can report on what we are seeing
they can only copyright the audio and video streams.
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Don’t know about the UFC, but folks at HDNet have actually told us on a couple occasions how much they enjoy our liveblogs of their events.
I think also the fact that the staff adds commentary might put it in the realm of editorial fair use.
Sure glad Lesnar got his shit straightened out.
by judonerd on Feb 27, 2010 1:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
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