Isaac
Years ago
NH: AFL goes after doctored Ablett photo
Summary: Gold Coast Bulletin doctors a photo of Gary Ablett (Geelong) to show him in a Gold Coast jersey with a caption of 'Dare to dream'. It's obviously fabricated with the intention of headlining a what-if article. The AFL got stroppy: "the use of Ablett's image was 'unauthorised' and that 'no such further use of AFL Club intellectual property or an image of an AFL player is (to be) used in this manner without the consent of the relevant parties involved'." Then more from the AFL PA:
Fallout from the 'Gold Coast Gary' image has included a demand from the AFL Players Association yesterday that the Bulletin publish a formal apology for the 'Dare to Dream' poster while Geelong coach Mark Thompson claimed the poster was 'unethical'.
See the image in question here: Coast's Ablett poster gives AFL hives
Now, what's your view here? The Bulletin is publicising the game, driving up awareness in Queensland and the image is clearly tweaked (like the "Computer generated image" you might see in The Advertiser or similar most days).
Is the AFL right to be protective of its players and brand or is it a joyless controlling behemoth? (Sorry, obvious bias showing!)