Deadspin, SB Nation Twitter accounts suspended

Apparently for posting gifs from NFL and/or MLB games without authorization:

Deadspin Twitter Account Suspended | Greg Abbott Tweet

 

I guess the "stealing content" business model isn't totally fail-safe.

 

Has anyone ever read legal precedent on .GIFs? I've seen none, which is why .gif angle surprises me. Vines I get, but .gifs?

 

The "fair use" argument won't fly.

 

I would think Grantland might be looking over its shoulder.

 

It's interesting, because Grantland is owned by ESPN, and ESPN hasn't been nearly as critical of Goodell as Deadspin. Maybe there is no connection. Regardless, can't imagine the NFL would start coming after rightsholders of any type over something like this.

 

ESPN's broadcast deal with the NFL includes use of highlights, I believe. So it shouldn't be an issue for Grantland.

 

I've noticed several newspaper beat writers using gifs on next-day stories breaking down key moments in games. (I assume there are more who do that, but I've only seen a few.) I've liked them, actually, and wished I had any idea how to make a gif.

I wonder if they'll get any heat over this.

 

Images to GIF Generator - Imgflip

Just remember to pronounce it "jif," as per its developer.