IPL under pressure

The IPL8217;s media accreditation terms say that they will be 8220;entitled to use and reproduce, free of charge, worldwide and without limit in time any and all photographs/images captured8221; by the accredited media. There are further issues over the photographs not being used 8220;in association with any marks, names or logos of any third party commercial or otherwise8221; and over a restriction on any online use without the prior written consent of the IPL.

Strong reactions

A number of media organisations raised objections to these clauses, and the Editors8217; Guild of India, in a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI president Sharad Pawar, said the clauses were 8220;unprecedented and unacceptable to the Indian media, to say the least8221;.

8220;Indirectly, it is making a claim on the images taken by the media organisations as a property of the IPL. To say the least, this is a ridiculous claim, unheard of in the annals of free India8217;s media tradition. The IPL is even making a claim on the said property for future use,8221; the letter said.

The Sports Journalists8217; Federation of India also wrote to Pawar, asking for these 8220;unfair and unethical restrictions8221; to be 8220;withdrawn unconditionally8221;.

8216;Viable solution8217;

IS Bindra, a member of the IPL8217;s governing council, tried to ease the growing tension. 8220;We, as cricket administrators, have always regarded the media as a major player and stakeholder in the development of cricket in India. I8217;m sure all media concerns will be dealt with due promptness and in spirit of mutual respect and confidence,8221; he told The Indian Express.

8220;The chairman of the IPL Lalit Modi is fully conscious of his responsibilities in this connection. I am sure a viable solution will be found through constructive discussion at the earliest,8221; he added.

Bindra said the clauses were not intended for newspapers and news agencies. 8220;There is a bit of a misunderstanding here. In no way will newspapers be restricted from posting the pictures on their website. We only want to ensure that private agencies and websites who do not have anything to do with cricket but end up using these photographs for their private commercial gains should not be allowed to do so. Newspapers and magazines can post the pictures on their websites and there is no issue there.8221;

No changes have been made to the clauses yet.

8220;In the coming week, Mr Modi will sit with other IPL officials and we8217;re sure we can come to a solution. As long as the images are circulated for the purpose of news, there should be no problem,8221; Bindra added.

Despite several attempts, Lalit Modi was unavailable for comment.