By: The Illinois Press Association and the Illinois High School Association have compromised over rules regarding photographs and access to sporting events after a lawsuit filed this month.
The lawsuit filed in Sangamon County Circuit Court by the IPA, The (Springfield) State Journal-Register and The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald asked for a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of IHSA rules.
According to the lawsuit, the IHSA contracted with Visual Image Photography Inc. for exclusive and unlimited access to all state tournament sites and photo opportunities. At the same time, IHSA required newspapers that wanted tournament media passes to sign an agreement limiting their own access to secondary-use photos, it said.
A judge in the case suggested the parties meet and try to settle out of court. The organizations convened on Nov. 13, reaching a compromise on press-photographer access at sporting events and use of photographs in newsprint and in Internet news presentations.
The IPA has asked to withdraw its request for the preliminary injunction against the IHSA.
Dave Bennett, executive director of the IPA, said secondary use of press photographs was still at issue.
Secondary-use photos are those not printed in a traditional newspaper. Newspaper photographers typically shoot dozens of pictures at a game, but editors use only one or two to accompany a story. The IHSA has wanted to assert control over their use.
That issue will be addressed at a meeting in December, officials said.
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