Fans who worried that the National Hockey League had banned GIFs can rest easy. The organization has no plans to put a stop to the viral animated images on social media.
"Breaking: I can confirm that the NHL is now not allowing anyone to post gifs. Huge news given playoffs are about to start," Mark Scheig, a reporter covering the Columbus Blue Jackets tweeted on Tuesday.
The report caused social media users to criticize the NHL, believing copyright infringement to be the cause for the ban.
However, the NHL refutes the report.
"Our position on GIFS has not changed," the NHL told CNBC.
Viral sports GIFs gained attention last year when Twitter deactivated SB Nation and Deadspin accounts due to alleged copyright infringement involving the use of GIFs. The NFL, UFC and the Big 12 and Southeastern collegiate sports conferences had also sent claims to the social media platform about copyrighted material.
GIFs have become universally used by social media users and can be monetized by companies for advertising opportunities and to grow the organization's fan base online.
For now, hockey fans will not have to worry about posting GIFs of their favorite moments on the ice.