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Yahoo Sues for Free Fantasy Football Stats

Company argues NFL union has no copyright on players' info

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 4, 2009 8:11 AM CDT

(Newser) – Yahoo has taken the NFL Players Association to court in a bid to use players' information for its online fantasy football game without paying royalties, CNET reports. Yahoo argues that since the players' names, biographies, and statistics are already in the public domain, it no longer needs to gain permission to use them or enter a licensing agreement. Major League Baseball struck out when hit with a similar lawsuit in 2007.

Fantasy sports games like Yahoo's online fantasy football have grown into a $1 billion business. (©sjsharktank)

NFL Player's Association director Richard Berthelsen speaks at a news conference before NFL football Super Bowl XLIII. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Yahoo alleges that the NFL Players Association has no right to copyright players' names and statistics. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

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Yahoo Sues for Free Fantasy Football Stats

Company argues NFL union has no copyright on players' info

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Company argues NFL union has no copyright on players' info

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Yahoo • NFL • copyright • fantasy sports • lawsuit • NFL Players Association

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[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Jury: NFL Union Owes Retirees $28.1M

That includes $7.1M for leaving ex-players out of video games, cards

More Ex-Players Sue NFL Over Brain Damage

2nd complaint claims the NFL covered up concussion dangers

Growth Hormone Test Added to NFL Deal

HGH can give the perception of improved speed, vision

NFL, Players Strike Deal

NFLPA board, 32 team reps unanimously approve the terms

NFL Deal? Not Without the Players

Players' reps peeved at owners' power play

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Newser By Users

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