NCJ Number
169618
Date Published
1997
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video examines issues related to copyright law as it applies to information supplied on internet websites, with a focus on sports organization licensing law.
Abstract
The video opens with an example of a conflict between Sean Shepherd, who as a fan of the Indian Pacers basketball team developed a web page on the internet for Pacers fans, and the Pacers and the National Basketball Association. Shepherd had no financial gain from the website, using it primarily as a source of information on Pacers players, scores, tickets, team and player statistics, and how to contact the gift shop. After allowing continuation of the website for a time, absent licensed trademarks, the Pacers eventually requested that Shepherd close the website under instructions from the National Basketball Association. An interview with Shepherd is portrayed on the video; Pacers and National Basketball Association representatives refused to comment on the matter. In another case presented, the National Hockey League (NHL) is allowing the coverage of hockey games on the internet, primarily through still pictures and text. The NHL views this as a complement to its television programming, since Internet coverage extends worldwide. The NHL has no problems with fan web pages, so long as team trademarks are not used. In an interview with David Post, a law professor who specializes in copyright law, he argues for the uniqueness of Internet information, since text is not fixed as in print information. Further, internet sources are in countries throughout the world, such that the copyright laws of any one country cannot apply. Post does not argue for the use of existing copyright law to govern the Internet. He sees some middle ground on the issue. He holds that the line should be drawn at impersonation, i.e., persons and groups who generate information on the Internet should correctly identify who they are; information itself, however, should not be unduly suppressed.