Can I Sell Photos From a Sporting Event

I think my avatar gives away that I am from Pittsburgh, my question is, the Pittsburgh Pirates lets anyone in with a camera with ANY type of lens. (Penguins and Steelers do not), so am I allowed to sell any of the photos that I take from the game? I will sign a copyright saying that I took the photo (so it's mine right?) Your thoughts and I apologize if this has already come up a thousand times before. Here's an example of a Selective Color photo.....

A quick Google brought up this...

Can a photographer who took a photo at a Major League Baseball game or Football game sign the photo as the artist and sell it? - Avvo.com

I was going to say that you should check the team and MLB websites as I suspect that they would have something specific there, but if this answer is any indicator of the answer then it looks like you're stuck staring at them or simply giving them away.

I agree with Jake and will add that allowing you to bring the camera in and take pictures doesn't grant you any property rights. People will sneak them in or use phones so many parks now just let them in. Their rights are protected in the ticket sale and the fact that you are a guest and not shooting from public domain.

Trademark can be an issue when selling if the work is considered damaging to the trademark owner, or it's used for profit in any way.

BTW, Nice shot!!

Copyrights can not be 'signed'. Copyrights are granted per federal law. The rights to the image can then be sold.

That said, whether you can profit from your images taken there depends on the wishes of the property owners. When you're at their house, you play by their rules.

I'd say unless you can get in with some publication, these are all for folio/fun.

SkvLTD said:

I'd say unless you can get in with some publication, these are all for folio/fun.

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And that's where press credentials play a role. That thing around your neck differentiates your photo rights from everyone else in the park, not just the areas you can access.

BackdoorHippie said:

And that's where press credentials play a role. That thing around your neck differentiates your photo rights from everyone else in the park, not just the areas you can access.

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+1

Even with a press pass, your rights to distribute photos from a major sporting event are only going to include distribution to other media outlets in most cases. I would strongly advise against attempting to profit from these kinds of photos. Taking on MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, etc. in court is not going to end up well for you. There are disclaimers posted everywhere against it, and even every television broadcast has a disclaimer at the end of each show. Your rights are as a viewer only.

I remember reading about an issue several years ago where a church wanted to have a Super Bowl party. It's not just a matter of getting some people together to watch the Big Game. Because X number of people were going to be present, royalties were to be paid and they even stated that the broadcast had to happen on a tv that was a certain size or larger to guarantee viewing quality. It's crazy.

Smoke said:

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Great shot of Cutch! I know I didn't apply to the question but I thought I'd add the compliment nonetheless.

You already have this, but I'll throw in, too: No, you can't, usually.

Normally the pictures are for personal use only. Some arenas/teams have banned "professional" cameras (usually enforced/interpreted to mean SLRs) because they had issues with people doing this. Please don't ruin it for us other amateur photographers.

skater said:

You already have this, but I'll throw in, too: No, you can't, usually.

Normally the pictures are for personal use only. Some arenas/teams have banned "professional" cameras (usually enforced/interpreted to mean SLRs) because they had issues with people doing this. Please don't ruin it for us other amateur photographers.

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Not planning on ruining it for anyone, this is why I am asking.