On one side, the Sports Rights Owners Coalition (37 sports institutions), in its idea of “protecting and promoting the special nature of sport” calls to defend intellectual property rights in a fast-changing digital world.

On the other side, the New Media Coalition, which includes 40 news organizations including Reuters and The Associated Press, claims a special recognition as well because of the freedom of the press to cover events critically and independently.

To be sure they are treated seriously, the New Media Coalition boycotted events of two charter members of the sports owners group: the International Rugby Board and Cricket Australia where ongoing battles in Australia over access and restrictions started in November and erupted in a new clash with book publishers last week.

Book publishers currently buy their images directly from photo agencies, but Cricket Australia sought the power to authorize the sales of images to publishers.

To solve the problem, the Australian Publishers Association met with government officials to seek intervention in the latest round of restrictions imposed by the sports authority, Cricket Australia, which is demanding that photographers sign contracts to cover the matches.

"There's a big debate at the moment that is unresolved," Nic Coward, the chairman of the sports owners group and chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority said.

"We understand that sports moments are very important news events and we are fully committed to ensuring that the public globally can have access to news coverage. However, where we draw the line is where - under the banner of news - people are really seeking to create entertainment content that they can exploit commercially."

Media companies rightly fear that the owners are trying to carve out new areas where rights fees can be charged simply to increase revenue.

Source: Inernational Herald Tribune