Rules online

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

But pretty ineffective against material that's already in the public domain.

From page 1 of the *.pdf file in question:

© 2011, This rules book has been copyrighted by the National Federation of State High School Associations with the United States Copyright Office. No one may republish any material contained herein without the prior written consent of the NFHS.
Republication of all or any portion of this rules book on the Internet is expressly prohibited.

I think that's pretty clear. It's possible they got permission, and no one outside of that particular discussion would need to know.
Otherwise, it's still a copyrighted work. If the NFHS sends a DMCA takedown notice to the web-hosting company or ISP, and that company doesn't at least pass the word on, then there is serious litigation possibility at stake. At the end of the day, it's best to not screw with it unless you've got the documentation that proves you were given permission.
There is certainly a legitimate point that the rules may be public domain, but there's lots in there besides rules.

[Welpe]

Tony, I wonder if officials in NC have some sort of special access through your state.

[ump33]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Tony, I wonder if officials in NC have some sort of special access through your state.

If NC does, I wish someone would share with me ...

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Tony, I wonder if officials in NC have some sort of special access through your state.

No. I signed up via the NFHS website, paid my $35, and had access.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by jchamp

I think that's pretty clear. It's possible they got permission, and no one outside of that particular discussion would need to know.
Otherwise, it's still a copyrighted work. If the NFHS sends a DMCA takedown notice to the web-hosting company or ISP, and that company doesn't at least pass the word on, then there is serious litigation possibility at stake. At the end of the day, it's best to not screw with it unless you've got the documentation that proves you were given permission.
There is certainly a legitimate point that the rules may be public domain, but there's lots in there besides rules.

I've got a friend who's an intellectual property lawyer, plus another who's done some IP cases, and I'd love to make a case of it. If BestWeb's too chicken, I'd set up a server, but the bandwidth would be crazy low. Meanwhile if you want a copy of the PDF, I'll e-mail it.

I've got some other work on my site that should have priority, but gotta remember to put this in line for stuff to put up.

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

I've got a friend who's an intellectual property lawyer, plus another who's done some IP cases, and I'd love to make a case of it. If BestWeb's too chicken, I'd set up a server, but the bandwidth would be crazy low. Meanwhile if you want a copy of the PDF, I'll e-mail it.

I've got some other work on my site that should have priority, but gotta remember to put this in line for stuff to put up.

I spoke with one of my partners who is more senior in my association. Permission to post this pdf file was obtained from NFHS prior to it being posted.

So to answer the OP, they followed the rules and used the mechanisms available. Yes, what you see is permissible because that exception in the copyright notice about requiring permission to duplicate the file was followed. Your association may be able to do something similar.

[bigjohn]

Well, there you go! Asked and answered!
Thanks, JCChamps

[bigjohn]

It appears they have pulled the rules and case books!

Rules & Resources

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Probably not, so download while you can.

Originally Posted by bigjohn

It appears they have pulled the rules and case books!

Rules & Resources

Told ya!

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by jchamp

I spoke with one of my partners who is more senior in my association. Permission to post this pdf file was obtained from NFHS prior to it being posted.

I doubt that very much. And the fact that it's now been removed would pretty much prove that point.

I was the moderator on the NFHS discussion forum for several years. One thing I was told was they do not allow their rules publications to be published online by ANYONE, even state or local associations. In fact, this is the last year the NFHS will even publish pdf rule publications on their own website because of other sites downloading the publications and posting on their own site.

To my knowledge, every instance of any rule publication that has ever published online has been taken down when it came to the attention of the NFHS.

[HLin NC]

Just received an e-mail that the NFHS and Arbiter have just released the NFHS Basketball rules and case app for 2011-12 on the Android Market. iPhone & iPad to be released "soon". Other NFHS rules apps "will be coming later this year and into 2012".

[Ia-Ref]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I doubt that very much. And the fact that it's now been removed would pretty much prove that point.

I was the moderator on the NFHS discussion forum for several years. One thing I was told was they do not allow their rules publications to be published online by ANYONE, even state or local associations. In fact, this is the last year the NFHS will even publish pdf rule publications on their own website because of other sites downloading the publications and posting on their own site.

To my knowledge, every instance of any rule publication that has ever published online has been taken down when it came to the attention of the NFHS.

That's intersting because when the new NFHS/Arbiter started up, I was able to get the Rules & Casebook online at their site.
By the traffic on the new site, I would have to say that at least for now the change has been a "bust". Especially because some of the old discussions will never be seen again.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Ia-Ref

That's intersting because when the new NFHS/Arbiter started up, I was able to get the Rules & Casebook online at their site.

As I've already stated:

I also have access to the pdf files through the NFHS Arbiter site.

This is the last year they will release them in pdf form.

Originally Posted by jchamp

Seriously, why not just release the friggin' pdf's?

Feel free to email Mike Meenan at [email protected] and ask him.

[HLin NC]

I just find it unfortunate that NFHS finds it necessary to obfuscate the game by making the rules more difficult to obtain.

If it is their organization's property, why should they allow every start-up youth league in America to copy off their rules for free and then addend at will?

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I doubt that very much. And the fact that it's now been removed would pretty much prove that point.

I was just repeating what a more senior member of my organization told me. I'm not surprised at all that it got pulled. I just find it unfortunate that NFHS finds it necessary to obfuscate the game by making the rules more difficult to obtain.
I know that you can make the case that by ensuring that the only source is the official source, you prevent a certain amount of poisoning of the well. But from the perspective of someone who is just trying to know what the rules are in order to teach, learn, etc., they're trying to enforce a revenue source out of the books. There has got to be better ways to make money.
The smartphone app is cute, but I have a 4-year old phone and a 8-year old computer that can read pdf files. Seriously, why not just release the friggin' pdf's? Why does everyone have to use this smartphone golden hammer?