When it comes to tech, is hockey more progressive than baseball? If you look at the actions of the NHL versus those of MLB, it would seem so.
The NHL has joined with Sling Media to enable users to post hockey clips online. The Slingbox allows you to stream content from a TV, DVR, or other set-top box to a computer and even certain cell phones, whether they're in the house or on the other side of the world. This summer, the company is planning to launch its new Clip+Sling service, which makes it easy to clip segments from those videos and upload them to Sling's Website. The NHL has rubber-stamped the service by not only allowing users to record hockey clips, but contributing its own content to the service.
Meanwhile, MLB Advanced Media has expressed concern that users will stream home games to themselves while they're on the road (which interferes with their own online offerings). The group claims that the Slingbox allows for the "redistribution of content without MLB?s express written consent," though it has, thus far, stopped short of filing any legal action. Still, it doesn't look like they'll be ready to play ball with Sling anytime soon.
Baseball needs to be taught the same lesson that the record companies have. Once it has been broadcast, it ceases to be their property. You put something out there for free, you can't try and lock it up again. As it is, it's ridiculous that the radio stations that carry MLB games have to broadcast something else online while the game is on their radio stations, just so people can't listen to the games for free. They also need to take a long, hard look at the "fair use" provisions of copyright law. If I want to record a free broadcast (or even one I've paid for) for my own use, and for non--public performance, I can, whether they like it or not. If I want to transmit it to myself across the country and watch it on another coast, I can, and there's nothing they can do to stop it. If they do, they're interfering with MY legal rights.
Being able to do something and having the right to do it are not the same. I'd love to know what legal rights you're referring to.