Photo agency backs Kilkenny line in GAA calendars row

IRELAND’S longest established sports photography agency last night voiced its support for the stance of the Kilkenny County Board and the GAA in the controversy over unsanctioned calendars.

Sportsfile, an official licensee of the GAA, expressed its support for the Association in the row over unapproved calendars featuring the Kilkenny hurling team.

The calendars feature photographs in which the Kilkenny county crest is airbrushed out of the team jerseys. Reproductions of the new crest are not allowed without the county board’s permission, which was not granted in this case.

Kilkenny County Board officials, who are unhappy with the calendars, have pledged to go to court to protect their image rights if necessary.

And the county board has pointed out that any money raised by organisations licensed to use the crest is ploughed back into hurling in the county.

Sportsfile, which provides photographs to the newspaper and publishing trade as well as publishing the GAA annual “A Season of Sundays,” and several official GAA calendars, pointed out that all of the above “are published strictly in adherence with all copyright laws.”

Ray McManus of Sportsfile said: “We strongly disagree with the unethical practice of altering or amending in any way the contents of sports photographs, whether that be a trademark or a logo of the GAA, county boards or sponsors.

“We are absolutely opposed to the use of GAA players’ images without their express permission and should a publisher alter any Sportsfile image or attempt to exploit the rights of a player, the company will take immediate legal action.”

Sportsfile went on to express its support for the GAA and the Kilkenny County Board’s stated position against the abuse of intellectual property rights of its players, any alteration of an association’s registered logos or trademarks and categorically condemned practices such as this taking place in Irish publishing.