NRK facing legal action over Tippeligaen coverage

The Fotball Media agency, which distributes the rights for the Tippeligaen on behalf of the Norwegian Football Federation, is prepared to take legal action against public-service broadcaster NRK over alleged copyright infringement of rights to the country’s top division of football.

Norwegian broadcasters are permitted to show clips of events of general interest, including sporting events, but Fotball Media believes that by showing half a minute from every Tippeligaen game, NRK is infringing on the exclusivity of the rights.

Knut Kristvang, chief executive of Fotball Media, told the Klassekampen newspaper: “We had hoped that we would go against a judicial clarification. However, we have to protect our rights for viewing these games.”