The NHL has a right to protect its copyrighted material, but seems to be taking this one to the extreme. The picture illustrates the controversy. It was taken by a person covering a news event. But because he happens to believe the NHL is wrong, the league appears to be going after him with all the legal might it can muster. Legally, the league is likely within its rights, but the NHL needs to be careful here.
Public reaction has a way of backing lawyers into a corner.
The goal will always be controversial. Spring, and others, will always argue that the NHL made a mistake. Controversy is part of what makes sports entertaining, but crushing dissent and taking Spring to court could be a huge mistake. Then Spring could post an image of his Web site being struck down by generic hockey pucks thrown by corporate suits on Sixth Avenue while he looks down while being crucified on a cross of Brand X hockey sticks. NHL Properties would have a difficult time going after that one.