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Lawyers of The Rant, I need help understanding verbiage in Jayden’s Cease & Desist letter

Posted on 8/17/26 at 10:40 pm
Posted by im4LSU
Hattiesburg, MS
Member since Aug 2004
34543 posts
Posted on 8/17/26 at 10:40 pm
My questions are below the images.

Here is the actual C&D letter from his attorney…..





And below are the results of a quick google search that gives a pretty good overview of how copyright laws and NIL intersect….







My question in general is, did LSU violate the NIL agreement?

I ask because in the letter from the attorney, it states basically that according to the agreement with Jayden and the Athletic Department, LSU was only allowed to use his name/ image/ likeness for 180 days post termination or post expiration grace period for continued use of his NIL, which has obviously expired.

However, my confusion comes when you get into the copyright aspect. LSU is the copyright owner since they are the creators. The search seems to admittedly, get into a gray area when it comes to the usage. It states….

quote:

While LSU retains basic copyright over the images and videos taken of games played on their property, legal experts note that using a former player's likeness for active commercial endorsement, merchandising, or marketing without active contractual authorization or a valid NIL agreement creates a separate legal gray area.


I would assume that up until Jayden found out that the number was given out, that he had given “contractual authorization” since there was never an issue until now.

The very last section of my search states two things. Number 1….

quote:

If an athlete attempts to sue a school or network simply for broadcasting or distributing past game footage as standard sports history, federal copyright law typically preempts (overrides) state publicity laws. Courts rule that the broadcast itself is a protected creative work, meaning athletes cannot use NIL laws to censor the historical record of games they played.


To me, this means that he has zero rights to any game footage or produced clips or images as LSU is the copyright owner.

But the second part seems to contradict that. This seems like the “gray area” the search mentioned….

quote:

However, the moment that historical footage is attached to a jersey sale, advertisement, or paid subscription promo, the boundary shifts back to protecting the player's likeness.


My understanding is that this is where it would revert back to that “contractual authorization” that states the user must have authorization from the athlete. Which again, I would assume LSU had since there was never any issue until now.
Posted by Swamp Frog x
Member since Nov 2024
1109 posts
Posted on 8/17/26 at 10:48 pm to
Don’t overthink it. It was no more than lawyer speak because Jayden was butt hurt. They couldn’t write a letter saying don’t use 5 because my clients feelings are hurt.

The letter is dated Aug. 5th. The same day it became public Pickett was wearing #5.
Posted by im4LSU
Hattiesburg, MS
Member since Aug 2004
34543 posts
Posted on 8/17/26 at 10:55 pm to
I get that, but there are certain implications in that letter that I wonder how big of an issue they could cause if in fact, LSU violated the agreement.

Disclaimer: I don’t think they did.
Posted by Lsuray70443
Independence
Member since Dec 2025
1062 posts
Posted on 8/17/26 at 11:05 pm to
Any archive footage of mr. Daniels, he is one of 22 players on the football field. He is wearing an LSU brand. LSU and the SEC can continue to show those highlights and will.
Posted by im4LSU
Hattiesburg, MS
Member since Aug 2004
34543 posts
Posted on 8/17/26 at 11:12 pm to
Yes, I know that as LSU is the copyright owner.

The issue is when you get into using his NIL for anything to endorse a brand or sell a product. It seems there is an agreed upon timeframe for that that only extends 180 days after he’s no longer associated with the university.
This post was edited on 8/17/26 at 11:15 pm
Posted by K Baw
W Monroe
Member since Jun 2019
673 posts
Posted on 8/17/26 at 11:26 pm to
He need not worry, he just erased his history with LSU. Skyler Green highlights will get us through. We are not 5 poor here. Even have a trophy involved with Skyler. That’s how champions roll. Looking forward to DJ having a great time here.
Posted by jttasty
Texas
Member since Oct 2011
241 posts
Posted on 8/17/26 at 11:43 pm to
Kary Vincent Jr., while wearing #5, intercepted Trevor Lawrence in the Championship game.
Posted by Swamp Frog x
Member since Nov 2024
1109 posts
Posted on 8/17/26 at 11:49 pm to
They were throwing shite at a wall and thought it would stick. It was a massive swing and miss.

The NIL stuff in the letter was essentially claiming Jayden owned the #5. That is why this has become a nationwide meme because of how ridiculous it was.
Posted by im4LSU
Hattiesburg, MS
Member since Aug 2004
34543 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 12:02 am to
quote:

The NIL stuff in the letter was essentially claiming Jayden owned the #5


Did you read the letter? Nothing in there mentions anything about the #5. I understand that’s his reasoning for this and that was the trigger, but that’s not what the letter is about. It’s about the use of his NIL after the 180 days as stated in the actual agreement and the use going forward.
Posted by sgallo3
Lake Charles
Member since Sep 2008
28307 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 12:11 am to
Ive been waiting for someone to explain this for days. It seems like jaydens team is confused on how it works, as LSU should own previously created jayden stuff
This post was edited on 8/18/26 at 12:12 am
Posted by im4LSU
Hattiesburg, MS
Member since Aug 2004
34543 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 1:05 am to
quote:

It seems like jaydens team is confused on how it works, as LSU should own previously created jayden stuff


Yes, you are correct. According to copyright laws, LSU is the official owner of any footage or images of his time at LSU. The gray area comes in when those videos, clips, or images are used to promote or sell something. The NIL contract says LSU can only use his actual NIL for 180 days after he’s terminated or no longer associated with LSU.
Posted by Swamp Frog x
Member since Nov 2024
1109 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 1:55 am to
Yes and as I have tried to explain it is the lawyer pulling out legitimate laws for illegitimate reasons.

The letter was purposely made vague but the name, image , and likeness in this case is referring to the #5. As I mentioned Jayden was essentially claiming he owns the #5. The letter is then claiming that LSU is using Jayden’s NIL (the #5) when they shouldn’t be.
Posted by AlwysATgr
Member since Apr 2008
21496 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 2:54 am to
quote:

However, the moment that historical footage is attached to a jersey sale, advertisement, or paid subscription promo, the boundary shifts back to protecting the player's likeness.


To me, this sounds like LSU could not sale explicit "#5 Daniels" jerseys without his permission nor use evident NIL of Jayden in advertising (or paid promos).

I do not see how this could be reasonably extended to apply to a different player wearing #5. If so, that would also extend to anyone wearing P&G uniforms (since Jayden wore them), or playing QB for LSU (since Jayden played QB for LSU), or playing in TS (since Jayden played in TS). It becomes immediately absurd.

I (still) like Jayden and would hope there's a path fwd where this could be amicably resolved but I don't see it. Jayden deserves every bit of the pushback he's getting.
This post was edited on 8/18/26 at 2:55 am
Posted by 225Tyga
Member since Oct 2013
19961 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 5:43 am to
Put the C&D in ChatGPT and ask if those questions
Posted by ole man
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2007
18457 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 6:05 am to
This is the kinda shite that pisses me off about young athletes today, I include white and black athletes as to not show any favoritism

To all the young kids today nobody owes you shite,as you seem to think, there would not be A JAYDEN DANIELS, if he doesn't come to LSU period,

Posted by PerplenGold
TX
Member since Nov 2021
2317 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 6:25 am to
quote:

there would not be A JAYDEN DANIELS, if he doesn't come to LSU period,


Well, there would have still been a JD but fewer people would have known or cared about him. Hmm, with his bullshite move, fewer people care about him now. Circle of dumbass. Life can be funny like that.

The lesson- don't be a dumbass.
Posted by Wayne Campbell
Aurora, IL
Member since Oct 2011
7451 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 6:58 am to
quote:

The letter was purposely made vague but the name, image , and likeness in this case is referring to the #5. As I mentioned Jayden was essentially claiming he owns the #5. The letter is then claiming that LSU is using Jayden’s NIL (the #5) when they shouldn’t be.


Given that the number 5 isn’t explicitly stated in the letter, I think you’re reading more into it than is there.

The lawyers would have to be complete morons (possible, but unlikely) to claim any of LSUs protected branding constitutes Daniels’ NIL.

Even if you assume he has some standing, any claim to the LSU jersey with the number 5 on it would be immediately dismissed with the simple evidence that he wasn’t the only person wearing that number at the time.

He has no more claim to that jersey than Laterrance Welch or any other previous wearer and a lawyer would be stupid to try and make the argument that he does.
Posted by lsupride87
Member since Dec 2007
112573 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 7:00 am to
quote:

The NIL contract says LSU can only use his actual NIL for 180 days after he’s terminated or no longer associated with LSU.
No No, that’s what they SAY it says …..

Big difference
Posted by Tigerpride18
Lakewood Colorado
Member since Sep 2017
33291 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 7:11 am to
my understanding is that the 180 days thing or however long after an athlete leaves is only for situations like this ..the rule exists just if a player wants to be a complete a-hole. normally it doesn't come up because both the player and school benefit from the continuation of using the players nil
Posted by im4LSU
Hattiesburg, MS
Member since Aug 2004
34543 posts
Posted on 8/18/26 at 7:19 am to
quote:

my understanding is that the 180 days thing or however long after an athlete leaves is only for situations like this ..the rule exists just if a player wants to be a complete a-hole. normally it doesn't come up because both the player and school benefit from the continuation of using the players nil


Right, which is why I assumed that LSU had the “contractual authorization “ needed to continue using his NIL. It was not an issue until this issue came up. He can’t retroactively deny the authorization
This post was edited on 8/18/26 at 7:20 am
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