Both accounts were reportedly suspended for copyright violations stemming from their use of GIFs of NFL game.

Source: Twitter reportedly suspends Deadspin and SB Nation accounts over NFL GIFs

Long story short, copyright is serious business. I’ve no love for the NFL for many reasons that I won’t rehash in this post, but it looks like they’re claiming that footage from their broadcasts turned into GIF form for twitter doesn’t equate to “fair use,” even if done by a news outlet, and there’s a good chance they’ll win this one unless (and maybe even if) the owners of these news outlets are willing to give a lot of money to their lawyers.

One could argue either way with this, but in the end, as with many copyright disputes, whomever is willing to spend the most cash is likely going to be the winner. If you make a court battle last long enough, the best you can hope for is a Pyrrhic victory.

Are we teaching this?