Team New Zealand wants teams to vote on internet issue

August 8 2011

Emirates Team New Zealand wants all challengers for the 34th America's Cup to be given a say on whether or not they should be allowed to maintain their own internet sites containing America's Cup content mirrored with the 34th America's Cup site.

The team has been in dispute with the America's Cup Event Authority about a protocol clause that stipulates competitors' sole America's Cup internet presence must be on micro-sites hosted on the America's Cup web site, except for social media.

Following mediation today, Emirates Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said teams should be given the opportunity to vote on the issue. For that to happen Oracle Racing as the defender and Artemis Racing as the challenger of record must co-operate.

Dalton said commercial teams should be given the opportunity to preserve their brands and build for the future.

Emirates Team New Zealand, as a commercial team competing in the Volvo Ocean Race, the Extreme Sailing Series and the America's Cup, feels strongly that the protocol restriction disadvantages its ability to operate in the commercial world.

"This is an opportunity for the privately funded defender and challenger of record to do the right thing and allow a popular vote on this important commercial issue."

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