As expressed in point 2.5 of the FIDE Charter (effective March 1, 2020), “the mission of FIDE is the diffusion and development of chess among all nations of the world, as well as the raising of the level of chess culture and knowledge on a sporting, scientific, creative, educational and cultural basis.”

As such, FIDE places great importance on the work of the global media, with the ultimate goal of improving the coverage of chess activities of any kind: competitive, educative, or social.

FIDE is committed to actively seeking cooperation with media representatives, assisting journalists in their task of reporting timely and accurately. FIDE will also ensure that the media is supplied or can produce, a minimum set of audiovisual assets, so they can create engaging content that can contribute to increasing awareness towards chess, chess players, and FIDE activities.

However, FIDE is the sole owner of audiovisual rights for FIDE events and activities, and it has every right to protect, distribute and commercialize these rights in whatever way it deems appropriate, for the benefit of the organization and the fulfilment of its mission.

FIDE also has an obligation to protect the rights of its broadcast partners. Broadcast partners are defined as those companies that have acquired rights to produce a live broadcast and/or get access to any other kind of exclusive content. These commercial agreements are a crucial source of funding that make FIDE events possible in the first place.

Modern journalism makes extensive use of audiovisual assets, including often moving images, audio coverage, or “live stories” on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. The purpose of these guidelines is to draw the line where the journalism ends, and the rights of broadcast partners begin.

1.INTRODUCTION

FIDE will always allocate a space in the venue, or within its immediate vicinity, to be used as a “press room”. This room will be equipped with a reasonable number of desks and chairs, as well as free internet connection, to allow journalists to develop their job.

Only accredited journalists, members of the organizing committee, players, and VIPs designated by FIDE have the right to enter the press room. Journalists are not allowed to bring companions or personal guests of any kind, unless explicit permission is granted by FIDE.

Press accreditation for FIDE events is only allocated to media professionals, following the FIDE Media Accreditation Policy.

FIDE will establish a quota of “A” (Non-rights holding television broadcasters and other camera crews) and “B” (photographers) media accreditations. The exact number might vary from one event to another, depending on the characteristics of the competition, and the space available at the playing venue.

The priorities will always be to ensure that:

1) The players’ concentration is not disturbed.
2) FIDE’s own team (arbiters, photographers, cameramen) can work unobtrusively.
3) The rights of official broadcast partners and other rights holders are respected.
4) The media can get enough visual material to report on the event.

2.MEDIA, MEDIA ACCREDITATION,
AND PRESS ROOM

3.1 Photos supplied by FIDE

FIDE will provide the media with a daily batch of pictures from its official events. These photos will be supplied high resolution (suitable for printing), timely, and free of charge.

Currently, FIDE uses Flickr as a platform to share photography assets with the media: www.flickr.com/photos/fide.

When used, these photos must include proper credits in the caption, using the following formula:

“PHOTO: FIDE / Name of the photographer”
Or
“Courtesy of FIDE / Name of the photographer”

In case of doubt regarding the authorship, please contact a FIDE representative at press@fide.com

3.PHOTOGRAPHY

These photographs are provided to the media as a courtesy from FIDE, strictly for editorial use only.

For the avoidance of doubt, “editorial use” means use relating to events that are newsworthy or of general interest to the public. Content licensed as such can be used as a visual reference in news articles, websites, newspapers, and magazines, where the purpose is solely to inform, educate or entertain.

This editorial use does not include any commercial, promotional, advertorial, endorsement, advertising or merchandising use, aimed at promoting a product or service. The photos cannot be used as a book cover or turned into products like posters, calendars, collectables, Non-fungible tokens (NFT) or any other derivative work.

These photos are intended to be used to report about that specific FIDE event where they were taken. By no means they can be used as stock photos for future, unrelated events, unless explicit permission is granted by FIDE and/or the authors of the pictures.

If these photographs are used in a manner that, in FIDE's opinion, contradicts the terms of this paragraph, FIDE has the right to prohibit the further use of photographs by the media that has committed the violation. Regardless of the presence or absence of violations, the right to use photographs can be revoked by FIDE at its own discretion, at any time.

3.2 Photography by holders of a “B” media accreditation

Media organizations may feature still pictures (photo images), provided such pictures are not animated by any effect or ‘rotated’ in such a way as to be sequential. For example 10 still photographs of a moment in the game which flash in sequence.

Media representatives who are granted a “B” media accreditation may work in the playing venue.

Due to the particular nature of chess, photographers must try to minimize any inconvenience for the players and not break their concentration. They may only be allowed if the Chief Arbiter deems their use to be unobtrusive. If a photographer is not acting carefully enough or is distracting the players, he might be asked to leave the playing area by the arbiters, or any other member of the organizing committee. The FIDE Press Officer will consider revoking his/her accreditation.

The use of flash is not allowed during the games, under no circumstances. Photographers must turn off the focus beep on their cameras, avoid loud bursts, and make use of silent shutter if possible.

In principle, holders of a “B” accreditation can work in the field of play during the first 5 minutes of a classical chess game, and the first 3 minutes of a rapid or blitz game. FIDE might consider extending these times if the characteristics of the venue allow for it.

4.1 Video supplied by FIDE to non-rights holders

FIDE will supply news agencies and TV stations with video footage from its top events, like those that are part of the World Championship Cycle.

This footage will typically consist of approximately 10 minutes of raw, unedited footage (“b-roll”), so TV stations can edit it into a piece of video news. Occasionally, FIDE might also supply edited pieces, interviews, or ready-to-go reportages.

The footage will be supplied either in HD or 4K, timely, and free of charge. These video materials are provided to the media as a courtesy from FIDE, strictly for editorial use only.

For the avoidance of doubt, “editorial use” means use relating to events that are newsworthy or of general interest to the public. Content licensed as such can be used as a visual reference to illustrate reports on TV stations or online media, with the exclusive purpose of informing, educating or entertaining.

This editorial use does not include any commercial, promotional, advertorial, endorsement, advertising or merchandising use, aimed at promoting a product or service. The video footage can not be used as part of a documentary, a film, a non-fungible token (NFT), a DVD, pay-per-view content, or any other derivative work.

Recipients of these batches of video footage are authorized to create pieces of video news that include a maximum of 2 minutes of licensed content per playing day. This length is commonly considered enough for the informative purposes described above. FIDE might consider extending this time at its own discretion, upon request from a TV station or news agencies.

If these video materials are used in a manner that, in FIDE's opinion, contradicts the terms of this paragraph, FIDE has the right to prohibit the further use of videos by the media that has committed the violation. Regardless of the presence or absence of violations, the right to use videos can be revoked by FIDE at its own discretion, at any time.


4.2 Video by holders of an “A” media accreditation

Media organizations that are granted an “A” accreditation by FIDE might capture video at the field of play at FIDE events.

Due to the particular nature of chess, camera crews must try to minimize any inconvenience for the players and not break their concentration. They may only be allowed if the Chief Arbiter deems their use to be unobtrusive. If a cameraman is not acting carefully enough or is distracting the players, he might be asked to leave the playing area by the arbiters, or any other member of the organizing committee. The FIDE Press Officer will consider revoking his/her accreditation.

In principle, holders of an “A” accreditation can work in the field of play during the first 5 minutes of a classical chess game, and the first 3 minutes of a rapid or blitz game. FIDE might consider extending these times if the characteristics of the venue allow for it.

The video footage captured by non-rights holders can only be used strictly for editorial use only, as described in point 4.1, and the resulting video assets cannot include more than 2-minutes of video content per playing day capturing the actual games and the field of play.

Holders of an “A” accreditation can film at official press conferences, in the adjacent areas, and arrange their own interviews with players and other personalities. This content, created by themselves, is not subjected to any length restrictions.

However, holders of an “A” accreditation must be respectful and restrain themselves from filming the interviews conducted by FIDE, or by rights-holders.

4.VIDEO

FIDE will take the appropriate measures to enforce these rules and reserves the right to change this policy at any time.

As expressed in our Media Accreditation policy, FIDE may revoke accreditation at any time if it is put to improper use; if it has been used to abuse the privileges so extended; or if personal or public conduct is not consistent with the best interest of the organization.

A violation of FIDE’s audiovisual rights, or those of its partners, may result in a copyright strike and legal action, without previous notice.

These Rules are governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Switzerland. Any dispute arising in connection with these Rules and which cannot be settled on an amicable basis shall be submitted to the competent commercial court of the City of Lausanne, Canton Vaud, Switzerland.

Download Photography and Videography Guidelines in PDF

5.ABUSES