While I don't see a copyright, I do see on page one of the 1998 Jumps Curriculum,
"All material in this document is for the exclusive use of the USATF Coaching Education Program. Any other use is prohibited without the permission of the Coaching Education Committee of the USATF." Mark Ward, Head Coach Central Kitsap XC-TF Vice President, Washington Track & Field Coaches Association Vice President, Pacific Northwest Association, USATF USATF West Region Coordinator, Jr. Women's Sprint Development [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 10:26 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: t-and-f: Coach Dunton running afoul of copyright? Greetings, all In recent years, Coach Ross Dunton of Tennessee has become well-schooled in modern track techniques and training. He’s traveled extensively, attended USATF seminars and done a ton of reading. He’s distilled the best advice for his masters training Web site and newsletter. He specializes in masters athletes but welcomes questions from all ages. Nearing 70 and pretty much retired, he’s a perfect example of the vaunted volunteer ethic that USATF prizes and promotes. But on December 4, 2001, Dunton says he received this note from LSU assistant track coach Irving C "Boo" Schexnayder: "Mr. Dunton: It has come to my attention that you have placed large portions of the USATF Level II Coaches Education curriculum on your website. These materials are the exclusive property of the USATF Coaching Education Executive Committee, and it is part of our committee policy to prohibit the free distribution of these materials. I insist that they be removed from the public domain immediately, or else I will ask USATF to pursue legal action immediately. I await your response." Shocked, Dunton responded, asking for proof of copyright and a copy of the committee policy. Dunton insists that nothing was said at the Level II school about posting the material online, and he notes that there are no restrictions or copyright notations in the coaching education manual he received. "I subsequently had a phone call from Toni Agard, who is the USATF assistant legal counsel," Dunton wrote in a recent newsletter. "In that conversation and in subsequent e-mails, I have requested the same information. There has been no response to these requests." Even though Dunton believes that USATF can't legally force him to remove information from his Web site, he has deleted it. (For example, see http://www.coachr.org/periodization.htm) Dunton later got a followup e-mail from Coach Schexnayder, who wrote: "I get 30-40 requests per year of people asking to use our materials. Most are reasonable and are granted. If I receive a ‘reasonable’ request for parts of this material, I assume that it is OK for me to grant it." Dunton also notes that "we were prohibited from filming the training drills that were demonstrated on the track at the school. The stated reason for this prohibition was that the companies who sold training videos had complained." Responding to an e-mail query, Dunton on January 23, 2002, wrote me: "When I put the info up, I believed that what I was doing was both legally, ethically and morally OK. I still believe that. The information came from my copy of the coaching manual which is an 8 1/2 X 11 paperback-bound 75-page book. There is nothing in it relating to copyright or re-publishing the info contained. "Since I had previously obtained a Level II coaching certification, I attended the ‘alumni school.’ The first-timers received another manual. I did not. When I requested a copy, they told me that they had run out and that they didn’t want to do the work of putting one together for me. Perhaps there are some restrictions noted in that manual. "In all of the class sessions, nothing was distributed or stated relating to the control of the indication. The restriction placed on (video)taping the drills tells the whole story. Two two-hour sessions on the track could not be recorded. Who can remember four hours of demonstrated exercises and plyometric drills?" My questions: Is Coach Boo correct in saying the USATF coaching school materials are copyrighted? If so, why? Why has USATF not responded to Coach Dunton's inquiries? What is the purpose of the USATF Coaching Education Executive Committee? I’m sending this report to USATF, Coach Boo and other interested parties. I welcome your comments. Ken Stone http://www.masterstrack.com (For bio on Boo, see http://www.lsusports.net/bio.cfm?ref=000A89A5-B7BB-1AC4-8CF7809F2103FE77&; sporttype=TF&indivtype=CO )
