• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 10:54
CEST 16:54
KST 23:54
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Code S Season 1 - RO8 Preview3[ASL21] Ro8 Preview Pt2: Progenitors8Code S Season 1 - RO12 Group A: Rogue, Percival, Solar, Zoun13[ASL21] Ro8 Preview Pt1: Inheritors16[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt2: All Star10
Community News
Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !7Weekly Cups (April 27-May 4): Clem takes triple0RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event12Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO12 Results12026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers25
StarCraft 2
General
Code S Season 1 - RO8 Preview Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book Weekly Cups (April 27-May 4): Clem takes triple Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO12 Results
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule ! GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Mutation # 524 Death and Taxes The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 523 Firewall Mutation # 522 Flip My Base
Brood War
General
Do we have a pimpest plays list? Why there arent any 256x256 pro maps? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ (Spoiler) Asl ro8 D winner interview BW General Discussion
Tourneys
Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 [ASL21] Ro8 Day 4 Small VOD Thread 2.0 [BSL22] RO16 Group Stage - 02 - 10 May
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Fighting Spirit mining rates What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Any training maps people recommend?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread OutLive 25 (RTS Game) Dawn of War IV
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread US Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread The Letting Off Steam Thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
streaming software Strange computer issues (software) [G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How EEG Data Can Predict Gam…
TrAiDoS
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2231 users

Broadcasting SC2 legality questions?

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
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
Netherlands19138 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
Zurich15365 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
1 2 3 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 1h 6m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Serral 3944
RotterdaM 210
TKL 118
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 46426
Bisu 2285
Horang2 886
firebathero 594
EffOrt 574
Stork 472
Mini 399
ggaemo 392
Hyuk 390
Larva 377
[ Show more ]
BeSt 291
ZerO 277
Killer 248
actioN 238
Rush 208
Soulkey 193
Soma 170
hero 93
Hyun 90
Pusan 88
Dewaltoss 83
Zeus 71
Barracks 60
Sharp 52
Backho 41
ToSsGirL 35
sorry 25
soO 25
HiyA 22
Bale 21
Shine 20
scan(afreeca) 17
Terrorterran 16
IntoTheRainbow 14
Rock 13
ajuk12(nOOB) 11
GoRush 10
Sacsri 10
Noble 8
Dota 2
Gorgc5191
qojqva1685
syndereN449
monkeys_forever152
League of Legends
Reynor52
Other Games
singsing2119
B2W.Neo1131
hiko1068
Beastyqt398
Lowko351
DeMusliM319
Liquid`RaSZi174
KnowMe167
ArmadaUGS144
Mew2King101
QueenE29
ZerO(Twitch)10
fpsfer 1
Trikslyr1
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1500
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• poizon28 19
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• HerbMon 19
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Nemesis3435
• TFBlade1014
Other Games
• Shiphtur66
Upcoming Events
Big Brain Bouts
1h 6m
Fjant vs Bly
Serral vs Shameless
OSC
7h 6m
The PiG Daily
8h 6m
Maru vs Rogue
TBD vs Classic
herO vs Solar
ByuN vs Solar
Replay Cast
9h 6m
CranKy Ducklings
19h 6m
RSL Revival
19h 6m
SHIN vs Bunny
ByuN vs Shameless
WardiTV Invitational
20h 6m
Krystianer vs TriGGeR
Cure vs Rogue
SC Evo League
22h 6m
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
1d
BSL
1d 4h
Artosis vs TerrOr
spx vs StRyKeR
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
1d 9h
Sparkling Tuna Cup
1d 19h
RSL Revival
1d 19h
Cure vs Zoun
Clem vs Lambo
WardiTV Invitational
1d 20h
BSL
2 days
Dewalt vs DragOn
Aether vs Jimin
GSL
2 days
Afreeca Starleague
2 days
Soma vs Leta
Wardi Open
2 days
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
OSC
3 days
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
Afreeca Starleague
3 days
Light vs Flash
Replay Cast
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
The PondCast
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-05-05
WardiTV TLMC #16
Nations Cup 2026

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
ASL Season 21
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Acropolis #4
Escore Tournament S2: W6
SCTL 2026 Spring
RSL Revival: Season 5
2026 GSL S1
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2

Upcoming

KK 2v2 League Season 1
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
YSL S3
Escore Tournament S2: W7
Escore Tournament S2: W8
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
2026 GSL S2
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026: Closed Qualifier
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.