Al's Morning Meeting

• "The credential may be limited to only some media or platforms. One example would be to allow publication in newspapers and magazines or broadcast on television or radio, but prohibit publication of some or all content online or on mobile platforms. They may also prohibit the use of content, especially photo or video content, books or more 'perpetual' media."

• "The team, league or event often attempts to assert a property right in the event itself with language that grants the credential holder a 'license' to use material it has compiled, consistent, again, with news, editorial or First Amendment protected purposes. A variation involves asserting copyright in the journalists work, with a similar license granted to the publication. We believe either one is contrary to well-established law that says the copyright in any original, fixed work vests with the creator -- such as the photographer or cameraman."

• "Quite often, the credential limits publication of information while the event is in progress. While some limit 'real time descriptions' or live blogging (without clearly defining what constitutes either one), others will forbid any in-game information. The most common restrictions of real-time publication will often require a time delay, such as only allowing score updates at the end of a quarter, half or game, or publication of photos on a certain time delay. It is very rare that a credential will allow any use of audio or video during a game."

There are also several restrictions on photos. The ASNE document says that "the credentials will often assert that the issuing body (the league, team or event) has a copyright in the holders' photos." It lists the following provisions:

• "There is almost always a limit on the number of photos that can be published while the game is in progress -- which almost always carries a time delay. There may be a limit on the number of photos that can be published after the event and a limit as to how long the photos can remain accessible after the event."

• "In this same vein, the credentials may try to control how photos are displayed on news pages. The most egregious control is to forbid the archiving of photos or creation of photo galleries."

• "The credentials may prohibit all non-news, noneditorial uses of photos, expressly forbidding their sale or other redistribution as a way of preventing others from any commercial use of the photos."

The document also includes details about restrictions on audio and video, pointing out that "the credentials often try to make access to highlights of game action too difficult, expensive or burdened with conditions":

• "Forbidding the making of journalist-recorded video of game action while, at the same time, withholding highlights created by the issuing body or its authorized partners."

• "Imposing unreasonable time, place, use, or duration limits on journalist stand-up or other nongame action video recorded at the venue."

It adds that "the credential may try to control how video is displayed." Examples include:

• "Limiting the total amount of audio or -- more often -- video that can be posted after the game is over and requiring that the credential holder remove that audio or video from its Web site within a certain period of time."

• "The credentials may completely prevent newspaper or nonbroadcast Web sites from using any video by limiting online video to the simulcast of a broadcast news feed which must be of a limited duration (often about three minutes) and which must be taken down within a specific time period."