For those who don't know, Rio is the seat of the XV Pan American Games, which started last Friday.  Today I watched and photographed the triathlon (I didn't get anything really good, the distance and angle were not quite adequate - hopefully next week the marathon will be a better opportunity, like regular marathons always were here, unless they introduce some new restriction).

Anyway, I am going to watch a football match (soccer for those in USA) next Saturday and the ticket says "photography is allowed for domestic and non-commercial use only".  To me it means that I can't sell images at all, even as editorial.  I can understand one needing a pass (and pay for that) to be in a special area closer to the action.  I will however be at the stand, very far from the action, unable to photograph the fly on the head of the golden medalist.  I plan however to make some general views of the event, the renewed stadium, the public, and certainly everywhere there will be logos and such.  I would gladly sell those as editorial, though I hope I can make some more general images for commercial use.

What is your experience with that?  Is this a common restriction?

Regards,
Adelaide

Why don't you give the ShutterStock Press Pass a try?

I know it may be a little late but who knows?

Claude

wysiwyg,

To your understanding, images are not allowed even as editorial if I don't have a press pass, right?  But then, if I paid for a press pass, I suppose I would be allowed to special areas, wouldn't I?

In the U.S., if the event is in a public place, or in plain site from a public place, then you are safe as long as images are taken from a public place.  If the event is on private property, or the images are taken from private property, then the owners (or lessors) of that property control the activity.  Usually, you don't pay for a press pass - it's something you have to apply for (to the organizer) and they are granted based on the organizer's best interests (for example, where they would get the most marketing).  If someone takes an image, and it isn't in their best interest, then they can take legal action against you.