Collision Course

Gannett and AP have drawn their lines in the sand against the Southeastern Conference, proclaiming yesterday they would not sign the league's new credential policies. I notice in the Editor and Publisher story that some of the tone has shifted to restraint of trade rather than First Amendment. I sense the reality that none of the conditions on the credentials related to limiting free speech has led the lawyers to shift.

Also seems the E&P story is quoting the original draft, rather than the current language, to make some of the key points.

Forgotten in the salvos are the restrictions media agencies submit themselves to when it is the NCAA men's basketball tournament (or any other NCAA championship) and when they cover bowl games governed by the BCS.

The internet and digital means of transmission change the rules for everything. In the past, a national network holding broadcast rights would not have known if a local television station from another network was using its footage without rather expensive and extensive local monitoring -- which they did perform. Now, it's a click away.

Copying and posting high quality video has the same relative ease compared to the old days of VHS. Tape to tape or film to film always lost something in the next generation copy. Not so with HD digital. Therefore, copyright holders are becoming increasingly protective.