Broadcast dispute resolved, sort of

Auckland, New Zealand (January 15, 2021) – The copyright battle over America’s Cup broadcast graphics between sailing legend Sir Russell Coutts and New Zealand businessman Sir Ian Taylor appears set to continue, despite claims of an agreement.

Coutts’ companies, Oracle Racing and SailGP, filed copyright infringement claims against Sir Ian Taylor’s company Animation Research Ltd (ARL) and two other companies just prior to Christmas, in relation to graphics ARL developed for live America’s Cup racing broadcasts.

Taylor has refuted the claim, saying he holds the original copyright to the technology.

However, a statement released by a spokeswoman for Coutts today said the copyright dispute between SailGP, and Riedel Communications and Circle-O, which are responsible for broadcasting the upcoming Prada Cup and America’s Cup, has been successfully resolved.

In response, Taylor reports that ARL had not agreed to anything, and had not even seen the agreement mentioned by Riedel. – Full report

The PRADA Cup is a series of four round robins (Jan. 15-17 and Jan. 22-24), with the winner of the series qualifying for the PRADA Cup Final and the remaining two Challengers going into a Semi-Final Series (Jan. 29-Feb. 2) for the right to join the Round Robin winner in the Final (Feb. 13–22). The winner of the PRADA Cup will then face the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the America’s Cup Match beginning March 6.

More information:
• Prada Cup format, standings, and how to watch online: click here.
• Complete America’s Cup coverage: click here
• Additional America’s Cup information: click here