[Commons-law] Comments on players versus ICC row

[Arvind Narrain]

Hi jeebesh and all else,
Just to introduce myself, Im arvind from the
ALterntive Law Forum..
I was wonderintg if this particular issue can be
framed within the larger context fo the critique of
consumer capitalism itself..
My reference point is Noami Klien's No logo which
analyses consumer culture by drawing the linkages to
the production process and the marketing and selling
of images such as Jordan to enhance the ominpresence
of the Nike sign and by the way enhance Nike
profiits..
THe key point is not whether spectators have a right
to consume or whether the contractual terms should
favour the crickteer or Rupert Murdoch as this entire
debate is framed within the logic of global consumer
capital..Taking up cudgels on behalf of the criketeer
is in effect favouring the right of rahul dravid to
contract with pepsi or coke.. To speak about the
spectator's right to souveniers is to really say that
can the spectator have the right to a say rahul dravid
doll sold by Pepsi or Coke...
Is there not a complete co-optation of all critical
energies by global consumer capitalism in this
context?
For me personally , this debate would make sense if
one draws out hte material linkages  and critiques teh
so far unseen , unspoken background which is consumer
culture..
In this context , i want to refer to this book which
is a dialogue between Judith Butler , Ernesto Laclau
and Zizek(forget the name) .. Zizek makes the point
about how the enonomic background which is global
capitalism has been completely depoliticized. Our
battles are all framed within  this context which in
not subject to critique. He asks for a move towards
critiquing the framework itself...
regards 
arvind


' 

--- Jeebesh Bagchi <jeebesh at sarai.net> wrote: > Some
comments on the present confrontation between
> ICC and players.
> 
> We have an interesting case developing. I think it
> is the first time that 
> this kind of contract has been brought out to
> control the circulation of the 
> image of the sportsperson. But, this tendency has
> been on for a long time.
> 
> As spectators when we enter the sports arena by
> buying a ticket we are told 
> not to carry any photographic equipment (well at
> times, no to eatables or 
> water!). Only accredited photographers are allowed
> with their equipment. 
> This kind of accreditation has been controlling the
> representation of the 
> `spaces of government` for a very long time. 
> (remember PIB!)
> 
> The situation is simple. The people who control -
> the selection of players, 
> venue and transmission circuits - have enforced
> total control over who will 
> have access to visual representation. How many of us
> have seen images of 
> `crowd` from within a crowd.!
> 
> Now, since a huge and ugly corporate consortium (led
> by Mr.Murdoch) has 
> pulled in 550 million dollars into the `relay` of
> images and sounds from the 
> cricket field, they need total monopoly. The only
> obstacle is the cricketers 
> with images that can be sold without intervention
> from the control boards. I 
> think through the rhetoric of `des bhakti` `money
> first and nation last` (and 
> other such like crap) the players will be made to
> sign the contract...
> 
> But, a forgotten question can be posed amidst this
> controversy. What about 
> the simple spectatorial right to be able to carry
> memorial/souvenir 
> photographs back home? This also applies to cinema
> halls. The more a sport is 
> popular, the more people invest into it, the more is
> the regulation on the 
> circulation of images. Funny, these are all legally
> protected with no 
> challenge whatsoever. Does the public domain
> argument have a chance here?
> 
> best
> Jeebesh
> 
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