Posting of Pictures and Youth Sports

[leagueadmin]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Florida

I am the info officer for a youth baseball/ softball league that has kids 16 and under playing baseball/ softball. I have taken some actions photos and wanted to post them on the league WEB site. They were taken at a public facility and are action shots of hitting, pitching and catching. A member of our board told me that it would be illegal for me to post them on our league WEB site without the parents permission. The board member also advised me that the league could be hit with possible civil action.

In order to view the pictures at our WEB site you must be an approved member of our site. I review all requests with our registration database to confirm they are a member of our league.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[divgradcurl]

A member of our board told me that it would be illegal for me to post them on our league WEB site without the parents permission.

That is generally not true. If the pictures were taken from a public vantage point (a place open to the public at large), it doesn't matter what the subject matter of the picture is, you can legally post them (well, if they are child porn, or a national security issue or something, then you can't). The fact that the participants are minors is irrelevant.

Now, if the pictures are used in such a manner that they imply that the youths pictures are sponsoring, endorsing, or otherwise advertising the game or the organization, THEN you'll need permission to use the photos in that way.

The board member also advised me that the league could be hit with possible civil action.

That's true -- it doesn't mean the parents would win, but they could certainly sue, and that would cost money to defend, win or lose.

In order to view the pictures at our WEB site you must be an approved member of our site. I review all requests with our registration database to confirm they are a member of our league.

Not relevant here.

While you are likely within your rights to post these pictures, is it really worth the hassle? How much extra effort would it be to get permission from the parents? Maybe you could make consent to being in pictures a part of the player's agreement, or something -- won't help you now, but will going forward.

 

[leagueadmin]

That is generally not true. If the pictures were taken from a public vantage point (a place open to the public at large), it doesn't matter what the subject matter of the picture is, you can legally post them (well, if they are child porn, or a national security issue or something, then you can't). The fact that the participants are minors is irrelevant.

Now, if the pictures are used in such a manner that they imply that the youths pictures are sponsoring, endorsing, or otherwise advertising the game or the organization, THEN you'll need permission to use the photos in that way.



That's true -- it doesn't mean the parents would win, but they could certainly sue, and that would cost money to defend, win or lose.



Not relevant here.

While you are likely within your rights to post these pictures, is it really worth the hassle? How much extra effort would it be to get permission from the parents? Maybe you could make consent to being in pictures a part of the player's agreement, or something -- won't help you now, but will going forward.

Thanks! Makes Good Sense!!