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Broadcasting SC2 legality questions?

Forum Index > SC2 General
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1 2 3 Next All
mrgoochio
Profile Joined April 2009
United States557 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-11 11:02:31
May 11 2010 10:56 GMT
#1
As many of you probably already know, blizzard and kespa have been going at it for years on the distribution rights and property rights etc. on broadcasted tournaments/ladders/whatever you want to call it in korea. We all know there are also many MANY tournaments going on (razer, TLI, HDH, etc.) all around the world.

How does blizzards stance on wanting to have their hand in e-sports affect the way these smaller tournaments run today/will run once release hits?

as it stands, it looks like blizzard wants to basically run kespa when they dont like something theyre doing and sit back and collect money if kespa does what blizzard wants. i am not debating their right to do or not to do so, but more interested in if a new american/european company/internet broadcasting company wanted to run tournaments/ladders of SC2 today. would they have to jump through all the hoops to do so? or is kespa singled out simply because of their size and popularity?
one that comes to mind is Razer, they just had their international tournament.. did they have to get the "go ahead" from blizzard? how does that work?

i as well as many/most/all of you are extremely interested in the broadcasting of sc2 as an e-sport both foreign and domestic.. so please enlighten me/us!

edit: not sure if this belongs in general or in sc2. moderators do what you will.
chengysogood
ToeJam
Profile Joined April 2009
United States282 Posts
May 11 2010 11:21 GMT
#2
I really doubt they will care until the host starts making some decent bank. Right now I don't see much profit, as it takes a hell of a lot of work, multiple people working, small sponsors, and it is beta.

If any of the tourneys pick up some ground I'm sure Actibliz will be on their backs.
Squallcloud
Profile Joined February 2008
France466 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-11 13:11:50
May 11 2010 11:25 GMT
#3
In the last Artosis weekly he mentionned a tournament which was cancelled because they didn't get the ok from blizzard.

Based on that i'm assuming that you must have permission.

Here's the link. http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=123998
Firebathero fanboy - It's not that i'm dumb i'm just controlled by a retarded infestor - Day[9]
MarCoon
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Germany493 Posts
May 11 2010 11:27 GMT
#4
Yes, you gotta ask for permission if you want to do a tournament in the beta, but I don't know if they will keep it when the actual game is released.
~follow me on twitter.com/GGmarCoon
mrgoochio
Profile Joined April 2009
United States557 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-11 11:53:28
May 11 2010 11:28 GMT
#5
On May 11 2010 20:21 ToeJam wrote:
I really doubt they will care until the host starts making some decent bank. Right now I don't see much profit, as it takes a hell of a lot of work, multiple people working, small sponsors, and it is beta.

If any of the tourneys pick up some ground I'm sure Actibliz will be on their backs.

cant make any decent bank without gaining some ground and popularity.. cant gain any ground or popularity if you cant get by actibliz legal.. cant get any big sponsorships without being a legitimate company.. really trying to see what we as individuals or even what companies can do at this point and onward

On May 11 2010 20:27 MarCoon wrote:
Yes, you gotta ask for permission if you want to do a tournament in the beta, but I don't know if they will keep it when the actual game is released.

do you have any documentation on this? did the TLI, razer tourny, HDH, etc. all have permission? who do you ask permission from? is there a specific e-sports broadcasting liaison that individuals/companies can contact within blizzard?

On May 11 2010 20:25 Squallcloud wrote:
I the last Artosis weekly he mentionned a tournament which was cancelled because they didn't get the ok from blizzard.

Based on that i'm assuming that you must have permission.

Here's the link. http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=123998

watched link, based on what artosis said it looks like you do have to have permission, at least for LAN tournaments. Most likely for internet tournaments as well. still looking for more info on the specifics
chengysogood
Nyovne
Profile Joined March 2006
Netherlands19141 Posts
May 11 2010 11:29 GMT
#6
On May 11 2010 20:27 MarCoon wrote:
Yes, you gotta ask for permission if you want to do a tournament in the beta, but I don't know if they will keep it when the actual game is released.

Offcourse they will.
ModeratorFor remember, that in the end, some are born to live, others born to die. I belong to those last, born to burn, born to cry. For I shall remain alone... forsaken.
MarCoon
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Germany493 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-11 11:41:41
May 11 2010 11:38 GMT
#7
mrgoochio you gotta trust me on this one sir
On May 11 2010 20:29 Nyovne wrote:
+ Show Spoiler +
On May 11 2010 20:27 MarCoon wrote:
Yes, you gotta ask for permission if you want to do a tournament in the beta, but I don't know if they will keep it when the actual game is released.

Offcourse they will.

I still hope they won't
~follow me on twitter.com/GGmarCoon
mrgoochio
Profile Joined April 2009
United States557 Posts
May 11 2010 11:55 GMT
#8
On May 11 2010 20:38 MarCoon wrote:
mrgoochio you gotta trust me on this one sir
Show nested quote +
On May 11 2010 20:29 Nyovne wrote:
+ Show Spoiler +
On May 11 2010 20:27 MarCoon wrote:
Yes, you gotta ask for permission if you want to do a tournament in the beta, but I don't know if they will keep it when the actual game is released.

Offcourse they will.

I still hope they won't

I am not doubting it, but I'm interested in more information on the specifics. blizzard esports broadcasting/tournament/LAN liaison info? blizzard's official documentation on their policy/rules? etc. etc.

thanks for the info so far though
chengysogood
MarCoon
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Germany493 Posts
May 11 2010 12:02 GMT
#9
There is no such specific info out yet as far as I know.
~follow me on twitter.com/GGmarCoon
mrgoochio
Profile Joined April 2009
United States557 Posts
May 11 2010 12:06 GMT
#10
Any idea where HDH, razer, MLG, or any of these other individuals/companies got their information from?
chengysogood
MarCoon
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Germany493 Posts
May 11 2010 12:13 GMT
#11
Most of the bigger sites got a mail from Blizzard about that. HDH probably got some help from TLs side.
~follow me on twitter.com/GGmarCoon
zatic
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
Zurich15366 Posts
May 11 2010 12:31 GMT
#12
Just like has been said, you need a license from Blizzard to run broadcasted tournaments. So far for the Beta this has been no problem.

This was also the case with SCBW btw and is not something new.

There is no official Blizzard documentation I am aware of.
ModeratorI know Teamliquid is known as a massive building
mrgoochio
Profile Joined April 2009
United States557 Posts
May 11 2010 12:38 GMT
#13
On May 11 2010 21:31 zatic wrote:
Just like has been said, you need a license from Blizzard to run broadcasted tournaments. So far for the Beta this has been no problem.

This was also the case with SCBW btw and is not something new.

There is no official Blizzard documentation I am aware of.

ill be the first one to admit that i have only recently been interested in the specifics on how this all works, so i apologize in advance. if i am missing some obvious information on how to find out more about the process to obtain a license from blizzard or even how to contact the correct person/department regarding this, please point me in the right direction!
chengysogood
TotalBiscuit
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United Kingdom5437 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-11 14:03:23
May 11 2010 13:56 GMT
#14
On May 11 2010 21:38 mrgoochio wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 11 2010 21:31 zatic wrote:
Just like has been said, you need a license from Blizzard to run broadcasted tournaments. So far for the Beta this has been no problem.

This was also the case with SCBW btw and is not something new.

There is no official Blizzard documentation I am aware of.

ill be the first one to admit that i have only recently been interested in the specifics on how this all works, so i apologize in advance. if i am missing some obvious information on how to find out more about the process to obtain a license from blizzard or even how to contact the correct person/department regarding this, please point me in the right direction!


I think I got an email about it, but I can't find the bloody thing. Wasn't there a sticky on the b.net forums about tournament organising and the hoops you had to jump through?

Ahh yes, here's the EU version

Interested in running Starcraft II beta tournaments? Please send an email with the following information about your tournament to sc-tourneyinfo-eu@blizzard.com .

• Name of the tournament
• Name of the person operating the tournament
• Name of the organization running the tournament
• Contact information
• Mailing address
• Times and dates of your tournament
• Participating country(ies)
• List of tournament sponsors and partners

We will review and evaluate your request.

Thank you,
Blizzard eSports Team


As regards to the legality of general broadcast, that's a murky quagmire of international copyright law, intermingled with the DMCA and the concept of fair use, aka. a fucking mess. Long story short, Blizzard won't do crap until there's a lot of money involved.
CommentatorHost of SHOUTcraft Clan Wars- http://www.mlg.tv/shoutcraft
iounas
Profile Joined July 2008
409 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-11 14:03:30
May 11 2010 14:01 GMT
#15
It will be free in beta to make them popular but who knows if they will start charging and controlling sponsors and other stuff on release like they want to charge and control kespa..
Tournament like HDH get millions of views.. I dont see them ignoring it.
IdrA: stalkers actually do negative damage. when you shoot a marine with a stalker it gains health.
mrgoochio
Profile Joined April 2009
United States557 Posts
May 11 2010 14:17 GMT
#16
On May 11 2010 22:56 TotalBiscuit wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 11 2010 21:38 mrgoochio wrote:
On May 11 2010 21:31 zatic wrote:
Just like has been said, you need a license from Blizzard to run broadcasted tournaments. So far for the Beta this has been no problem.

This was also the case with SCBW btw and is not something new.

There is no official Blizzard documentation I am aware of.

ill be the first one to admit that i have only recently been interested in the specifics on how this all works, so i apologize in advance. if i am missing some obvious information on how to find out more about the process to obtain a license from blizzard or even how to contact the correct person/department regarding this, please point me in the right direction!


I think I got an email about it, but I can't find the bloody thing. Wasn't there a sticky on the b.net forums about tournament organising and the hoops you had to jump through?

Ahh yes, here's the EU version

Show nested quote +
Interested in running Starcraft II beta tournaments? Please send an email with the following information about your tournament to sc-tourneyinfo-eu@blizzard.com .

• Name of the tournament
• Name of the person operating the tournament
• Name of the organization running the tournament
• Contact information
• Mailing address
• Times and dates of your tournament
• Participating country(ies)
• List of tournament sponsors and partners

We will review and evaluate your request.

Thank you,
Blizzard eSports Team


As regards to the legality of general broadcast, that's a murky quagmire of international copyright law, intermingled with the DMCA and the concept of fair use, aka. a fucking mess. Long story short, Blizzard won't do crap until there's a lot of money involved.

very informative post, thanks.
chengysogood
Clamev
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
Germany498 Posts
May 11 2010 14:21 GMT
#17
So did Husky and HD for example had to ask Blizzard?
6Pool or die trying
mrgoochio
Profile Joined April 2009
United States557 Posts
May 11 2010 14:24 GMT
#18
googling sc-tourneyinfo turned up some various links that eventually lead me to find a post about the NA information (basically the same thing, different email addy)

Interested in running Starcraft II beta tournaments? Please send an email with the following information about your tournament to sc-tourneyinfo@blizzard.com.
• Name of the tournament
• Name of the person operating the tournament
• Name of the organization running the tournament
• Contact information
• Mailing address
• Times and dates of your tournament
• Participating country(ies)
• List of tournament sponsors and partners
We will review and evaluate your request.
Thank you,
Blizzard eSports Team
chengysogood
mrgoochio
Profile Joined April 2009
United States557 Posts
May 11 2010 14:25 GMT
#19
On May 11 2010 23:21 Clamev wrote:
So did Husky and HD for example had to ask Blizzard?

After looking into this for a few hours, I'm guessing: yes
chengysogood
TotalBiscuit
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United Kingdom5437 Posts
May 11 2010 14:28 GMT
#20
They will have emailed the eSports team yes, and there ya go, that's the US version of the form.

Blizzard tend to cooperate early on with this kind of thing, expect a harder line later, if my experience running an official fansite for WoW was anything to go by. They need backing to start with and that need lessens as time goes on and they become less receptive to dealing with third parties. Who knows, maybe they'll be more cooperative this time around.
CommentatorHost of SHOUTcraft Clan Wars- http://www.mlg.tv/shoutcraft
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