ABC Sports says Pawlenty misusing Olympics footage
ABC Sports says Tim Pawlenty’s presidential campaign violated its copyright with a new television commercial using footage from the 1980 Olympics “Miracle on Ice’’ hockey game broadcast by the network.
During an interview with The Des Moines Register, Louise Argianas, director of rights and clearances for ABC Sports, said the campaign would be issued a cease-and-desist letter.
“It’s a violation of our copyright and exclusive proprietary rights,’’ she said.
The Globe wrote this morning about how the ad also appropriated the Olympics imagery associated with one of Pawlenty’s rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
The Globe later asked Pawlenty spokesman if the ad violated any copyright issues. Spokesman Alex Conant responded at mid-afternoon, “Believe it’s just fair-use footage from newscast, but want to confirm that.’’
After ABC Sports offered its answer, Conant replied: “All of our campaign television advertising is carefully reviewed by the campaign’s lawyers to ensure compliance with the copyright laws, the federal election laws, and other legal provisions.
“The campaign’s ‘Miracle on Ice’ advertisement was carefully reviewed for legal compliance and we believe fully complies with the ‘fair-use’ doctrine. We respect ABC’s concern and look forward to responding to their inquiry,’’ he said.
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