On Monday (April 28), the popular Australian podcast The Grade Cricketer removed IPL content from their YouTube channel and other social media platforms after receiving a “legal letter” about the usage of still images in their videos.
The Grade Cricketer is a popular cricket podcast, hosted by Australian creators Sam Perry and Ian Higgins, offering a humorous yet insightful take on the world of cricket. Their coverage spans domestic and international events, with the show garnering a significant following globally. Over the years, they have featured interviews with leading figures such as Australian captain Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, and even prime minister Anthony Albanese during the federal election campaign.
Most recently, their focus has been on daily coverage of the IPL through a series titled ‘The Big IPL Breakfast’.
Explained: Why did they delete their IPL videos?
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the channel received a legal notice from the BCCI and the IPL over the weekend. The notice cited the unauthorised use of still images from IPL matches, which, according to the BCCI, breached regulations by being used for "commercial" purposes rather than strictly "editorial" use.
Their videos included sponsorship integrations, notably with Indian online grocery company BigBasket, which likely contributed to the BCCI’s concerns.
Rather than risk potential sanctions or the loss of their digital presence, Perry and Higgins opted to voluntarily remove all IPL-related material. On Monday’s episode, Perry informed listeners, “On Saturday evening, Australian time, we received a very polite legal letter about elements of our content from the cricket tournament we speak to you about pertaining specifically to this season. As a result, we decided to take those videos down.
“Every single video from this year’s cricket tournament has been removed from YouTube, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, Instagram and X,” He clarified that the removal was proactive: "It’s something we’ve done ourselves; it hasn’t been taken down for us.”
Perry also reassured their audience that their IPL coverage would continue with the same regularity, and that upcoming content would be produced in line with the updated understanding of the BCCI’s regulations. The duo is scheduled to travel to India later this week for a series of live shows timed with the remainder of the IPL season. The BCCI has yet to officially comment on the development.
Getty Images and other major photo agencies consistently mark IPL images as available only for editorial purposes, prohibiting commercial use.
What is the IPL’s clause on the usage of licensed images?
IPL have strict guidelines on reusing images from the tournament, with Clause 7 in their terms and conditions stating: “The Licensee agrees that the Licensed Images shall not be used in any commercial activity whatsoever without the prior written consent of the BCCI (which may be withheld in its absolute discretion).”
Clause 8 elaborates on what constitutes commercial usage of their images:
“Promotions or any promotional materials (other than the promotion of editorial coverage of the Matches and/or the Tournament in newspapers, magazines and broadcast and other editorial service, and point-of-sale promotion for such coverage as long as such point-of-sale promotional materials are not sold or distributed to members of the public and provided always that such promotional activity shall not be conducted through mobile devices);
Advertising (including advertorials); or
Merchandising, as well as animations, avatars and invitations.
Any use that generates financial value to the person or organisation using the content solely as a result of such use; or
Any use that in any manner suggests an endorsement by or sponsorship of a Match or the Tournament, any team participating in the Match or the Tournament or any member of a participating team; or
Any use in connection with any third party or in any manner promoting or being associated with any third party."
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