Supreme Court Refuses Major League Baseball's Request To Examine Rights of Publicity
Mon Jun 02, 2008 @ 02:51PM PSTPosted by Eriq Gardner
The Supreme Court has turned down a request to hear a dispute over whether a fantasy baseball operator violated the intellectual property rights of Major League Baseball. The league claimed domain over names and statistics.
In turning down the appeal, the ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis stands, which established that copyright law offers no protection over the names, nicknames, likenesses, signatures, pictures, playing records, and biographical data of players from major sporting leagues.
The ruling holds some impact too for celebrities in the entertainment industry, who have zealously guarded likeness rights. Many legal experts believe this to be an important victory for free speech over "rights of publicity."
Filed Under Baseball
Copyright
Fair Use
Right of Publicity
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